US National Security Advisor: "Korea and Taiwan Situations Differ from Afghanistan... No Reduction of US Forces in Korea"

Sullivan Aide Clarifies Biden's Statement "No U.S. Troop Sacrifice Where There Is No American Interest"
Expresses Commitment to Defending Korea, Europe, and Taiwan
"Biden to Soon Discuss Afghanistan Situation with Allied Leaders"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Jake Sullivan, the U.S. White House National Security Advisor, stated that President Joe Biden has no intention of reducing U.S. troops stationed in South Korea or Europe. He also emphasized the stance of not abandoning Taiwan, which faces threats from China.

At the White House regular briefing on the 17th (local time), Sullivan was asked whether President Biden's statement the previous day that "we will not sacrifice U.S. troops where it is not in America's national interest" included South Korea. He replied, "The President, as he has repeatedly said, has no intention of reducing our troops from South Korea or Europe."

He added that South Korea and Europe have long maintained U.S. troop presence to protect alliances against external enemies even during peacetime, which is fundamentally different from the situation in Afghanistan.

When asked whether the Afghanistan situation could apply to Taiwan, Sullivan said, "The situation in Taiwan is a completely different issue from Afghanistan," and added, "I believe commitments to allies and partner countries are inviolable."

Sullivan explained that President Biden did not consult with allied leaders regarding the Afghanistan situation.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "It is expected that President Biden will call heads of state from various countries in the near future."

Regarding criticism of President Biden watching the collapse of the Afghan government while on vacation, Sullivan defended him by saying, "The President was working throughout the weekend."

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