Korean pullback safe, officer says

Published on 07/06/2003 01:00

A TOP US army officer in South Korea says historic plans to pull back American troops after five decades patrolling the world’s last Cold War frontier do not weaken the allies’ defence against the communist North.

South Korean officials have voiced concern that shifting the troops away from the frontier could be perceived by North Korea as a weakening of US support for Seoul or as a move to clear the way for a preemptive attack on the North.

Washington and Seoul unveiled on Thursday a timetable to remove US forces from the border between the South and reclusive North.

"The commitment remains as unequivocal, strong and as enduring as ever," Lieutenant General Charles Campbell, commander of the US 8th Army, said.