Woodward's New Book: "Trump Ordered 'Withdrawal of US Troops from South Korea'"

Woodward's Book "Rage" Includes... Trump Continues Complaining "We Are Suckers"
Wants Withdrawal from Korea and Afghanistan
Also Mentioned "Reducing U.S. Troops in Iraq to 2,000" on That Day

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] It has been reported that U.S. President Donald Trump wanted to withdraw U.S. troops stationed in South Korea and told to pull them out.

On the 10th (local time), the U.S. daily USA Today reported that journalist Bob Woodward, who exposed the 'Watergate' scandal, described such remarks by President Trump in his upcoming book "Rage," to be published on the 15th.

Woodward wrote in his new book that President Trump wanted to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan and South Korea, and actually gave the order, "'Get them out!'"

Woodward noted that then-Defense Secretary James Mattis told Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), "That's crazy" and "That's dangerous."

This mention seems credible given that President Trump has shown movements to withdraw U.S. troops stationed worldwide.

At a press conference held that day, President Trump also announced plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq from the current 5,200 to the 2,000 range. The U.S. has already announced the withdrawal of troops stationed in Afghanistan. President Trump also emphasized in his acceptance speech as a presidential candidate that he is bringing U.S. troops home.

In July, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported hearing that the White House was urging the U.S. Department of Defense to reduce U.S. troops in South Korea. In response, Defense Secretary Mark Esper clarified that he had never issued an order to withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea.

In an interview with Woodward, President Trump also openly expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. military protection of South Korea and South Korea's defense cost-sharing for U.S. troops stationed there. President Trump said, "We are protecting South Korea from North Korea, and they are making huge amounts of money from television, ships, and everything else." He added, "They make a lot of money. It costs us $10 billion. We are suckers."

President Trump, who has pursued an 'America First' policy, has complained since taking office that the U.S. has become a sucker to NATO member countries and other allies like South Korea, clashing with allies. He has continuously complained about the obligation of the U.S. to act as the world's police.

Woodward wrote in his book that after President Trump suddenly canceled military exercises with South Korea as a move to please North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, former Defense Secretary Mattis expressed concerns that it could send the wrong signal to China, Russia, and North Korea. After the first North Korea-U.S. summit in Singapore, when President Trump complained at a press conference about the huge money spent on military exercises, saying, "South Korea also bears some of the burden, but that is only a part," Secretary Mattis criticized, "What we are doing is actually showing how to destroy America."

Woodward also wrote that former Secretary Mattis, during his tenure, went to church to pray for the country amid various remarks by President Trump ranging from threats to North Korea armed with nuclear weapons to attacks on NATO and other allies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.