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Stars and Stripes, a U.S. military newspaper, reported Saturday that many U.S. soldiers stationed overseas are opposed to the reduction in U.S. troops in Korea in line with the U.S.¡¯s ambitious rearrangement plan, Global Posture Realignment (GPR), since Korea still faces a great threat from North Korea.
According to the paper, many U.S. soldiers do not believe that it is desirable to cut U.S. troops placed in Korea because there is still a threat from North Korea and thus the cuts could tempt the nuclear-armed North to attack the South. Spc. Jeff Nichols, who spent a year in Korea, said, ¡°It definitely makes it easier for North Korea. Troops being a hell of a lot closer to home is not good for national or world security.¡± Retired Sgt. Reginald Joseph also said, ¡°As soon as you do that [reduce the troops], they¡¯ll walk right down into Seoul. It¡¯s a cakewalk.¡± Joseph had spent three years in South Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division before he retired from the Army two years ago.
The paper also said that U.S. troops deployed to the combat regions such as Iraq and Central Asia has expressed their regret about the reduced opportunities to serve in Europe, their most favorite region. Air Force Capt. Scott Meakin, serving in Ukraine, said, ¡°A lot of people join the military to see the world. People really want to do tours in Europe.¡±
(Jang Il-hyun, ihjang@chosun.com )
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