National security adviser John Bolton says President Donald Trump is not looking for ways to reduce U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.
This comes after The New York Times, citing several unnamed sources, said the president ordered the Pentagon to come up with some options to do just that.
On Friday, Bolton called the report "utter nonsense."
The Times report comes after leaders from both North Korea and South Korea met in late April and agreed to denuclearization and to "completely cease all hostile acts against each other."
If those peace talks continue, the Times pointed out the need for U.S. troops in South Korea might not be necessary.
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U.S. forces have been stationed in the country for decades. But their main mission is to act as a deterrent instead of engaging in combat. There are currently about 28,000 U.S. troops in South Korea.
Trump's previously complained about how much it costs the U.S. to maintain a military presence on the Korean peninsula.
For its part, South Korea said it wants U.S. troops to remain in the area even if a peace treaty is signed.
