If North Korea, South Korea, and the US were the only actors involved in the ongoing denuclearization negotiations on North Korea, the entire process would be significantly simpler. For better or for worse, however, Japan, China and many other countries are also involved and have their own national priorities and bargaining chips. One of the closest countries to the peninsula, and one of the US’s most important allies, is Japan, whose president has officially stated his opposition to any withdrawal of US forces from the peninsula as part of denuclearization negotiations. There are currently just under 30,000 US troops in South Korea, and their removal would increase the responsibilities and pressure on the 47,000 stationed in Japan.
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