The U.S. has decided to pull 12,000 troops from Germany, raising concerns it may try to do the same in South Korea.
President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House Wednesday that they are reducing the forces in Germany because it is not paying enough for protection.
Trump said, "We don't want to be the suckers any more," adding there are 28 countries that have been "delinquent" in paying the U.S.
The Pentagon earlier announced the plan that calls for bringing about 6,400 American soldiers home and relocating 5,600 to other regions in Europe as part of changes that will "enhance deterrence against Russia."
It will likely cost billions of dollars and take years to complete.
The decision comes amid concerns Trump may also reduce deployments to South Korea as Seoul and Washington remain deadlocked in talks on sharing the cost of stationing American service members on the Korean Peninsula.
Trump has insisted South Korea "can and should pay more" as it is a rich nation.
The Wall Street Journal reported this month that the White House was reviewing options to cut U.S. Forces Korea levels.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper later denied issuing any related orders but said the military was looking at adjustments to deployments worldwide.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
