S. Korea, U.S. agree on early launch of negotiations for defense cost sharing: sources

▲ S. Korea, U.S. initial defense cost-sharing deal In this file photo, South Korea's top negotiator, Jeong Eun-bo (R, sitting), and Rob Rapson, acting U.S. ambassador to Seoul, (L, sitting) initial a deal on Seoul's share of the cost for stationing the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea, called the Special Measures Agreement, at a signing ceremony at the foreign ministry in Seoul on March 18, 2021. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Defense Minister Suh Wook (L to R, back row) were in attendance. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

S Korea-US-defense cost sharing

S. Korea, U.S. agree on early launch of negotiations for defense cost sharing: sources

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States have agreed to begin talks on their next deal on defense cost sharing earlier than planned, sources said Tuesday, a move that appears to consider the possible reelection of former U.S. President Donald Trump, known for his tough bargaining on such deals.

The allies have reached an understanding to start the negotiations on sharing the costs for the upkeep of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), this year, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the matter.

The early talks, if launched, will come nearly two years ahead of the original schedule for the deal, known as the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), currently in effect until the end of 2025 under a six-year term.

Seoul and Washington signed the SMA for 2020-26 in April 2021 after 1 1/2 years of tough haggling over how much Seoul should pay for the stationing of the USFK on its soil, as the then Trump administration had called for a sharp increase in Seoul's share.

The early launch of the defense cost-sharing talks appear to have taken into account the possibility of Trump returning to the White House if he wins the November presidential vote.

During his term in office, Trump accused the allies of relying on the U.S. for their defense and called them "free riders" who "rip off" America. Some media had reported that Trump demanded Seoul pay US$5 billion for its share, more than a fivefold increase from 2019.

Trump's possible reelection gives rise to concerns he will drive the hard bargain again for the next defense cost-sharing deal.

Even if the negotiations start this year, there is no guarantee an agreement for the new SMA will be reached before the year end, one source said.

Under the latest and 11th SMA, South Korea agreed to raise the payment by 13.9 percent from 2019 to $1.03 billion for 2021.

South Korea's foreign ministry said "no decision has been made on the specifics" regarding the SMA negotiations.

"We plan to closely work with the United States as we prepare for the next negotiations in a systematic and strategic manner," ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a regular press briefing.

Since 1991, Seoul has partially shouldered costs under the SMA for Korean USFK workers; the construction of military installations, such as barracks, and training, educational, operational and communications facilities; and other logistical support.

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