Korea had 'constructive' defense cost-sharing talks with U.S.: Official

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Korea had 'constructive' defense cost-sharing talks with U.S.: Official

Published: 27 Sep. 2024, 17:42 Updated: 27 Sep. 2024, 18:29

Korea had “constructive” talks with the United States this week to advance negotiations over Seoul's share of the cost for the upkeep of American troops stationed in the country, a Seoul official said Friday.

The allies wrapped up the three-day defense cost-sharing talks in Seoul amid growing speculation that the two sides might renew the multiyear deal stationing 28,500 U.S. military personnel in Korea.

“Korea and the United States held constructive discussions aimed at narrowing their differences on key issues of mutual interest,” a Foreign Ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

Since the negotiations were launched in April, eight rounds of talks have taken place, giving rise to the possibility that the two sides may soon strike a new Special Measures Agreement (SMA).

CNN recently reported that Seoul and Washington could reach a new deal before the end of this year, citing incumbent and former U.S. officials.

Following the seventh round of the talks in August, Linda Specht, the U.S. chief negotiator, said the two countries had made “good progress” toward an agreement.

The latest negotiations are taking place amid speculation that Korea is seeking an early deal, apparently to avoid tough bargaining in case Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Under Trump's presidency, Washington had demanded that Seoul's payment increase more than fivefold to $5 billion.

Korea has called for an agreement that will set its share at “a reasonable level,” and the United States has stressed the goal of reaching “a mutually acceptable” deal.

The current six-year SMA committed Korea to paying $1.03 billion for 2021, a 13.9 percent increase from 2019, and increasing the payment every year for the subsequent four years in line with the rise in Seoul's defense spending.

Under the SMA, Seoul has, since 1991, partially shared the cost of Korean United States Forces Korea workers; the construction of military installations such as barracks, as well as training, educational, operational and communications facilities; and other logistical support.

Yonhap