SINGAPORE — The United States is not ruling out a reduction in forces deployed to South Korea as the Trump administration determines what presence it needs in the region to best counter China, two senior American defense officials told reporters traveling with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Singapore.

There are 28,500 U.S. troops deployed to South Korea as part of the U.S. long-term commitment to help defend Seoul from any attack from North Korea.

But the U.S. is also trying to array its forces and ships optimally across the Indo-Pacific as a credible deterrent against China for any potential attack on Taiwan and other acts of aggression against allies in the region.

No decision has been made on the number of troops deployed to South Korea, but any future footprint would be optimized not only to defend against Pyongyang but also to deter China, one of the officials said. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss deliberations that have not been made public.

Mr. Hegseth is in Singapore to attend his first Shangri-La Dialogue as President Trump’s defense secretary. His South Korean counterpart is not expected to attend due to elections next week in Seoul.

A possible reduction in forces was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Reuters reported last week that South Korea’s defense ministry said Friday that Seoul and Washington had not had discussions about the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

South Korea would continue cooperation with the United States to maintain a strong combined defense posture in order to deter North Korea, its defense ministry said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell responded to the Wall Street Journal, saying on X: “Reports that the DoD will reduce U.S. troops in the Republic of Korea are not true.”

South Korea and Washington reached a five-year deal on defense cost sharing last year, but the Trump administration has indicated that Mr. Trump wants to see South Korea pick up more of the tab for the costs associated with the American troop presence on the peninsula.

South Korean officials have so far maintained the position that defense costs are a separate matter from the trade talks, according to Reuters.

South Korean voters go to the polls Tuesday to select a new president after the removal of conservative Yoon Suk Yeol following a short-lived attempt to declare martial law in December.