© Jong Yeon, AFP, Getty Images
On May 4, the
New York Times, 2018
citing a number of different sources, reported that
Donald Trump had ordered the Pentagon to draw up plans for a possible reduction of America's military presence in South Korea. Of course, it is not a question of Kim yielding, but, according to unnamed, but well-informed persons,
the signing of a peace treaty between South Korea and the DPRK will reduce the need to keep 28,500 soldiers on the peninsula.
Certainly, it should be borne in mind that the article was based on anonymous statements, and that the newspaper makes no secret of its anti-Trump agenda, and misses no opportunity to paint him in a bad light, as evidenced by its reports on the US's "intelligence failure."
This happened at the same time as the "Moon versus Moon" scandal in Seoul erupted. Chung Eui-yong, the Director of South Korea's National Security Office, who was on a visit to the USA at the time, asked John Boulton, the US National Security Adviser, about the article, and the latter replied that it was "utter nonsense." And then, on 4 May, in a meeting with journalists,
Donald Trump himself clearly stated that such a question was not on the agenda of the forthcoming summit between the USA and the DPRK, all the more so since North Korea had not proposed discussing the reduction of the US's military presence.
However that has not put a stop to the rumors that such a question really will be up for discussion in the summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, and
some people are ready to believe that Mr. Trump is preparing something crafty. Perhaps, they say, the US President really does want to withdraw at least some of the forces,
either for financial reasons or to have them available in the event of a possible war with Iran. This decision would be made to look like a step to meet the DPRK, in exchange for the latter freezing its nuclear program and in recognition of its "wish for denuclearization," especially since in this case both parties would be able to present the withdrawal to their people as a great diplomatic triumph. And, what is more, the withdrawal of troops may be as long drawn-out and gradual a process as North Korea's disarmament, and, if necessary, both processes could be easily reversed, since there has been no talk of dismantling the related infrastructure.
Comment: This story illustrates the problem with Russophobes: they tend to bring about the very problems they say they want to avoid - but are too blinded with paranoia and hatred to realize it.
See also: