美 국방 내정자 "미군 철수 계획 없다...北 위협 대응 강화"

U.S. defense secretary nominee James Mattis says he knows of no plan to withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea.
That's a slight departure from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's pledges during his presidential campaign, but some see Mattis's remark as a possible push by the incoming administration to raise Seoul's share of the costs to have U.S. troops stationed in the country.
Connie Kim reports.
The incoming Trump administration in the U.S. hinted at responding firmly to North Korea's nuclear weapons program and continuing the strong Seoul-Washington alliance,.... possibly through South Korea assuming a larger share of the costs to have U.S. forces stationed on the Korean peninsula.
James Mattis, nominee for U.S. defense secretary at his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, said the situation on the Korean peninsula remains volatile and pledged to work closely with South Korea and other allies in the region.


"We must also embrace our international alliances and security partnerships. History is clear. Nations with strong allies thrive and nations without them wither."

The retired Marine Corps general's comments show U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may have retracted from his campaign pledges of drawing out U.S. troops from South Korean soil if Seoul does not pay more for their presence.
But, Mattis' words are also seen to reflect the new administration's plans to renegotiate defense cost-sharing with Seoul and other allies.

While nothing is certain regarding Trump's foreign policies, South Korea's defense chief noted the lingering uncertainties with Washington.


"I can't say there are no concerns regarding the continuity of the Seoul-Washington alliance when the Trump administration comes in, but the next four or six months will be crucial to our nation's security."

If a renegotiation of defense cost sharing does become reality, a South Korean government official reportedly said Seoul will highlight the fact that the country is already paying more compared to other Washington's allies as South Korea has a higher defense cost ratio.
South Korea's annual defense expenditure took up about two-point-four percent of the nation's GDP in 2015,... with the figure becoming even larger when considering the social costs generated from men mandatorily serving in the military.
Connie Kim, Arirang News.

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