Troop cut talks to open next week; USFK reduction will be put on.

(From The Korea Herald)

By Choi Soung-ah South Korea and the United States are set to strike up new conversations next week on the resizing of U.S. Forces Korea.

According to Kim Sook, director general of the Foreign Ministry's North American Affairs Bureau, officials from both sides will begin discussions on the realignment of U.S. troops on the sidelines of the 9th Future of the Alliance talks scheduled for June 7-8.

"The government has agreed with Washington to hold discussions on the resizing and repositioning of U.S. Forces Korea, on the occasion of the 9th FOTA talks in Seoul," Kim said yesterday at a news conference.

Kim also stressed the troop reduction meetings are not part of FOTA talks - primarily focused on the relocation of the 8th U.S. Army base - and will be convened separately.

"As the matter at hand needs a certain amount of time for discussions, the meeting this time around will be centered on hearing out and getting a grasp of the U.S. plans and initiatives for the realignment," said Kim.

The government has already set up a three-member interagency team for the troops cut talks, comprising of an official from each of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministries, as well as the National Security Council.