U.S. Troop Cutbacks In South Korea Will Not Weaken Deterrent: Rumsfeld

WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (AFP) - US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Tuesday defended US plans to reduce its forces in South Korea, saying it would not in any way diminish US ability to deter North Korea.
Democrats charged this week that plans for cutbacks contained in President George W. Bush's realignment of US forces overseas would weaken US bargaining position in talks with North Korea on its nuclear program.
Rumsfeld said the proposal to reduce the 37,500-strong US force in South Korea by one third had no bearing on six-party talks with North Korea.
"The deterrent will not be weakened in any way," he said. "It is a mistake in my view to equate numbers with lethality and capability. Speed, agility and precision are enormously important, more important than numbers."
"I absolutely do not think that there's any risk that the North Koreans are going to misunderstand the combined military capability -- yesterday, today and tomorrow -- of South Korea and the United States of America," he said.