Top military brass from South Korea and America sat down for crucial talks Thursday in Seoul. Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Kim Myung-soo met with his US counterpart General Dan Caine as rumors swirl about major changes coming to American troop presence. The high-stakes meeting happened just one day before both leaders join their Japanese ally General Yoshihide Yoshida for a three-way summit Friday. Military sources say the Friday gathering will focus on security deals between the three nations and the growing threat from North Korea. Caine becomes the first top US military officer to visit Seoul since his predecessor came calling back in November 2023.
The timing puts extra pressure on both sides as Washington pushes allies to boost defense spending to 5 percent of their national budgets. Pentagon officials keep hinting they might slash the 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea or change their mission to fight China instead. During Senate hearings last April, Caine promised to review US military presence in Japan and South Korea before making recommendations to his bosses. Kim plans to hold separate talks with the Japanese general on the sidelines of Friday's main event. The three military leaders last gathered for their annual summit in Tokyo during 2023.
The timing puts extra pressure on both sides as Washington pushes allies to boost defense spending to 5 percent of their national budgets. Pentagon officials keep hinting they might slash the 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea or change their mission to fight China instead. During Senate hearings last April, Caine promised to review US military presence in Japan and South Korea before making recommendations to his bosses. Kim plans to hold separate talks with the Japanese general on the sidelines of Friday's main event. The three military leaders last gathered for their annual summit in Tokyo during 2023.
