美媒爆料“美国防部考虑裁减4500名驻韩美军官兵”，韩美否认

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. and South Korea have denied reports regarding the reduction of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, emphasizing the importance of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and the commitment to maintaining joint defense capabilities [1][3][4]. Group 1: U.S. Military Presence in South Korea - The South Korean Ministry of Defense stated that the U.S. military presence is a core strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, contributing to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula [1]. - Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicated that the U.S. government was considering transferring approximately 4,500 troops from South Korea to other bases in the Indo-Pacific region, including Guam [3][5]. - The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command warned against reducing troop numbers, stating that such cuts could jeopardize their ability to respond to threats from North Korea and potential conflicts with China and Russia [5]. Group 2: Financial Contributions and Negotiations - The U.S. has previously pressured South Korea to increase its defense cost-sharing, with President Trump suggesting a fivefold increase in defense spending during negotiations [4]. - A recent defense cost-sharing agreement signed last October raised South Korea's annual contribution by 8.3% to approximately 1.52 trillion won starting in 2026 [4]. - The U.S. Department of Defense has indicated that South Korea, as a "wealthy" ally, should provide more compensation for the military protection it receives [3][4]. Group 3: Future Strategic Considerations - Discussions regarding troop adjustments are expected to align with the U.S. Department of Defense's ongoing development of a new defense strategy, which prioritizes domestic defense and countering China in the Indo-Pacific [5]. - The U.S. Defense Secretary has instructed the formulation of a new defense strategy that emphasizes the need for South Korea to take on more responsibility for its conventional defense [5].