{ "error": "", "type": "text", "title": "Secretary Mattis' Remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue - South Korea", "slug": "secretary-mattis-remarks-at-the-shangri-la-dialogue-south-korea", "text": "
\"I would tell you that any discussion about the number of U.S. troops in the Republic of Korea is subject to -- one, the Republic of Korea's invitation to have them there and the discussions between the United States and the Republic of Korea -- separate and distinct from the negotiations that are going on with DPRK. They have -- that issue will not come up in the discussions with DPRK and as you all recognize; those troops are there as a recognition of a security challenge. Obviously, if the diplomats can do their work -- if we can reduce the threat. If we can restore confidence-building measures with something verifiable, then of course these kinds of issues can come up subsequently between two sovereign democracies -- the Republic of Korea and the United States. But that issue is not on the table here in Singapore on the 12th nor should it be.\"<\/p>", "quote": null, "citation": "