U.S. deployment in South Korea discussed here
| • | North Korea may get no-attack guarantee |
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Talks are being held today and tomorrow in Honolulu between the United States and South Korea over the redeployment of American troops in the Asian nation.
The third round of the "Future of the Alliance Policy Initiative" talks, being held at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, is not open to the public, but a joint statement is expected to be issued at the conclusion, officials said.
The two sides agreed in June that American troops will be moved farther south of the tense Demilitarized Zone separating South Korea from communist North Korea.
In April, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said U.S. troops stationed near the DMZ could be shifted south, moved to other countries in the region or even be brought home under a global realignment of U.S. troops.
There are 37,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. The two sides agreed to move farther south most of the estimated 7,000 troops from the 8th U.S. Army headquarters in downtown Seoul, but U.S. troops will continue to train north of Seoul and close to the DMZ after the deployment.
Lt. Gen. Cha Young-koo will lead the South Korean delegation, while U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Richard Lawless will lead the team from Washington.
The Asia-Pacific Center is a non-warfighting academic organization focused on enhancing cooperation and building relationships among Pacific nations.
