HONOLULU — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday Washington needs troops in South Korea even amid budget cuts as a means to deter North Korea and to send a message the Asia-Pacific region is important to the U.S.
HONOLULU — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday Washington needs troops in South Korea even amid budget cuts as a means to deter North Korea and to send a message the Asia-Pacific region is important to the U.S.
Asked why it was necessary to keep U.S. troops in South Korea, especially since Seoul’s military appears strong and the U.S. is under pressure to cut costs, Panetta said the U.S. is a Pacific power and will remain a Pacific power.
“We maintain those forces not only for help and protection of South Korea but also as a force to indicate that the United States is going to always maintain a military presence in the Pacific,” he told reporters during a visit to Hawaii. “We believe this is an important area economically, militarily, strategically and in terms of the allies that we have in this region, that are an important part of our Pacific family.”
The Department of Defense announced earlier this year it would cut $487 billion from its budget over the next 10 years. The department has cut 140 facilities in Europe over the past several years, and some domestic facilities and jobs are being shrunk as well.
The Obama administration earlier this year announced a new defense strategy that emphasizes Asia as the U.S. winds down its involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The administration is not anticipating military conflict in Asia, but believes the U.S. got so involved in Iraq and Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that it missed chances to improve its strategic position in other regions.
Panetta is visiting Hawaii to attend a change of command ceremony at the U.S. Pacific Command on Friday. Navy Adm. Samuel Locklear will take over from Adm. Robert Willard, who is retiring.