South Korea signals openness to changes in U.S. Forces Korea troop roles

In the first foreign minister-level talks between South Korea and the United States, a senior South Korean official acknowledged that changes to the role and nature of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) could occur, citing shifting geopolitical and technological factors.

Speaking in Washington DC on July 31, the official noted that evolving dynamics, including China’s growing strategic influence, could lead to a redefinition of USFK’s mission. This aligns with ongoing discussions in Washington about modernizing overseas alliances and adjusting troop deployments.

Troop role change and “alliance modernization” on the table

During the foreign ministers’ meeting between South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the two sides reportedly discussed “modernization of the alliance.”  This term, long used by Washington, refers to adjusting military commitments—potentially downsizing or reconfiguring troops—to meet new strategic goals, particularly with respect to countering China.

The South Korean official emphasized that acknowledging the possibility of change does not equate to agreeing with troop reductions, but rather understanding the context behind U.S. proposals. It was the first time a high-ranking South Korean official publicly referred to possible shifts in USFK’s role.

Coordination extends to Taiwan, North Korea

The U.S. State Department stated after the meeting that both nations reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, calling it vital to global security and prosperity. While Taiwan was not explicitly mentioned in the South Korean Foreign Ministry’s summary, the omission highlights potential differences in how both sides frame their alliance priorities.

The Pentagon’s guidelines, announced in March this year, identified preventing Chinese aggression toward Taiwan and defending U.S. mainland as a top defense goal. This suggests that USFK’s future mission could include broader regional objectives under the alliance modernization framework.

On North Korea, both sides reaffirmed their shared goal of “complete denuclearization.” They also confirmed their commitment to enforcing international sanctions and expressed concern over growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, although the South Korean Foreign Ministry did not reference the latter in its statement—possibly reflecting Seoul’s softer stance under the Lee Jae Myung administration.

Broader alliance framework under review

On the same day, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed by phone to continue talks on “mutually beneficial modernization of the alliance.” South Korea’s formal acknowledgment of this concept signals the start of broader 2+2 consultations involving both foreign and defense ministries.

The modernization agenda is expected to feature prominently in an upcoming summit between South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, projected to take place within two weeks.

A senior South Korean official said the two leaders aim to upgrade the alliance into a “forward-looking, comprehensive partnership” that aligns with the current security landscape, including threats from China and Russia.

After his meeting with Secretary Rubio, Minister Cho also met with Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairs of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, respectively. Cho emphasized the need to strengthen the alliance based on three pillars: security, economy, and science and technology.

He also met with John Walters, president of the Hudson Institute, to further discuss strategic policy cooperation.

BY KIM HYOUNG-GU   [kim.hyounggu@joongang.co.kr]