[USFK Forums] Korea Could Cut Troop Strength to 300,000: Yoon [Chosun]

[C. Y. Lee]

Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Saturday, February 11, 2006

Korea Could Cut Troop Strength to 300,000: Yoon

The Chosun Ilbo, Friday, February 10, 2006

Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung said Friday the country’s forces could be slashed to 300,000 once the Korean Peninsula has a proper peace framework to replace the long armistice that ended the Korean War.

Yoon told the National Assembly’s Defense Committee the government is for now sticking with plans to cut troops to 500,000 by 2020, but this could change if the security environment improves.

The former head of the National Security Council Chung Dong-young last month proposed troop cuts as a way to secure funds to tackle the widening income gap. He suggested cutting forces to 400,000 by 2015 on the premise that the two Koreas conclude a peace treaty.

The Defense Ministry also said it will seek ways of posthumously decorating officers who committed suicide or died in accidents on active service.

The ministry confirmed it will set up a 1,600-strong standby reserve for UN peacekeeping operations consisting of six Army, Navy and Air Force units.




url: http://english.chosun.com/w21data/ht...602100008.html