U.S. wants 'fair' and 'equitable' outcome in USFK cost-sharing talks

The United States pursues a "fair" and "equitable" outcome in the upcoming negotiations with South Korea over the sharing of the cost for the stationing of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), its chief negotiator said Monday.

Linda Specht, a senior adviser and lead negotiator for security agreements at the State Department, made the remarks, as the first round of the talks over the cost-sharing deal, called the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), is set to take place from Tuesday to Thursday in Honolulu.

Specht leads the U.S. delegation at the SMA talks while the South Korean delegation is to be led by Lee Tae-woo, a senior diplomat and former consul general in Sydney. The current six-year SMA is to expire at the end of next year.

"The United States seeks a fair and equitable outcome to the Special Measures Agreement discussions for both countries that will strengthen and sustain the U.S.-ROK alliance," she said in a statement sent to Yonhap News Agency. ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

Observers have said that Seoul and Washington have sought to resume SMA talks earlier than usual amid concerns that should former President Donald Trump be reelected, he could drive a hard bargain over a new SMA in a way that could cause friction in the alliance.

During Trump's presidency, the SMA negotiation was a major bone of contention as he demanded a hefty rise in South Korea's share of the cost for USFK.

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.

Yonhap