The main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) has denounced the government for allegedly mishandling Washington's plan to realign and reduce its troops in South Korea.

In a statement Monday, the GNP accused the government of being blindsided by Washington's decision on the sensitive issue of cutting its military presence on the Korean Peninsula.

The statement said that the U.S. troop realignment and reduction in South Korea is being carried out without any prior consultations with Seoul even while the Roh administration engages in empty rhetoric about self-defense.

The GNP also called on the government to fully disclose to the public the process of negotiations with the U.S. military on the planned troop withdrawal and to come up with specific measures to boost independent defense capabilities.