South Korea's presidential hopeful says US forces in country 'critical for containing China�
Current Washington-Moscow relations 'means to exert pressure on China,' says presidential race front-runner Lee Jae-myung
ISTANBUL
South Korea's presidential hopeful Lee Jae-myung has said US forces in the country are "critical for containing China."
Lee said in an interview with Time Magazine published Thursday that the forces "actually play a very critical role for the United States’ policy of containment against China."
About 28,500 US troops are currently stationed in South Korea.
Furthermore, the Pentagon recently denied reports that the US Department of Defense is considering withdrawing approximately 4,500 troops from South Korea and relocating them to other locations in the Indo-Pacific region, including Guam, a US island territory in Micronesia in the Western Pacific.
Lee expressed his belief that current Washington-Moscow relations are "a means to exert pressure on China," which could potentially be in Seoul's interest with a chance of opening of Arctic shipping routes.
"If so, it could offer strategic advantages not only for the US and Russia but also for Korea," Lee said.
On Friday, early voting for South Korea's upcoming presidential election concluded with the second-highest turnout rate of 34.74% since it was launched in 2014.
The latest poll released on Wednesday showed Democratic Party candidate Lee leading with 49.2%, followed by Kim of the ruling PPP with 36.8%.
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
