The commander of US troops in South Korea has said he supports moves to withdraw some outposts along the fortified border with North Korea, despite the risks.
South Korea's defence ministry has said it plans to reduce guard posts along the demilitarised zone, as part of efforts to reduce tension and build trust with its northern neighbour.
"I have some concerns about what that means militarily for the ability to defend along the Military Demarcation Line," US General Vincent Brooks told reporters.
However, he said that the risk is "a reasonable degree" and the move represents a good opportunity to reduce tensions.
About 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korea, a legacy of the Korean War, which ended in 1953 in an armistice that left the North Korea technically still at war with South Korea and the US-led United Nations command.
Besides serving as the commander of those troops, General Brooks also commands UN forces, and in the case of war, would take command of South Korean troops as well.
He also said that his troops are finding "other ways" to maintain readiness in the absence of major military drills, which were cancelled or delayed by US President Donald Trump as part of a deal with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un.
"I received no order to become unready," he said. "Nobody told me to stand down."
General Brooks did not elaborate on how his command had adjusted to the changes in military exercises.
He credited the military presence in South Korea with "successfully" setting the stage for this year's diplomatic talks with North Korea, and said he supports maintaining pressure on North Korea to prevent it from "backing up" on diplomatic steps.
