In a significant shift in military strategy during the Vietnam War, South Korea began the withdrawal of 11,000 troops, part of a broader reduction of its presence in South Vietnam, which had initially deployed around 48,000 soldiers. This decision came under President Richard Nixon's Vietnamization policy, aimed at transferring the responsibility of the war from American forces to the South Vietnamese army. By withdrawing South Korean troops, the U.S. hoped to accelerate its own troop reduction while maintaining a semblance of stability in South Vietnam.

The troop withdrawal was the result of various factors, including increasing anti-war sentiment among the South Korean populace and the changing political landscape in the United States. As public opinion in America began to turn against the war, Washington sought ways to mitigate its military commitments abroad. The South Korean military had been deeply integrated into operations in Vietnam, serving under U.S. command and contributing significant manpower. Their eventual exit from the conflict illustrated the complexities facing both nations as they navigated the demands of an ongoing war.

The withdrawal took place amidst negotiations and changing dynamics in the conflict. South Vietnam was increasingly pressured to enhance its military capabilities and take greater control, reflecting a shift in strategy orchestrated by the Nixon administration. The expectation was that the Vietnamese forces would assume a more significant role in combating the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese armies. This troop reduction was also seen as a measure to stabilize South Korea's own military situation by reducing foreign deployments and focusing on domestic security issues.