Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Korea, U.S. sign defense cost-sharing deal on eve of U.S. election

Korea and the United States formally signed a defense cost-sharing agreement Monday, as Seoul seeks to speed up its domestic ratification procedure to ensure the stable stationing of American troops here ahead of the U.S. elections.

2024-11-04

'They don't pay': Trump doubles down on false claim Korea does not fund U.S. forces

Donald Trump said Wednesday that America "cannot be taken advantage of any longer in trade and in the military," reinforcing speculation that he could demand renegotiation of a recent defense cost-sharing deal with Seoul if he returns to office.

2024-10-17

'They'd be happy to do it': Trump claims 'money machine' South Korea would pay $10 billion a year if he were president

Former U.S. President Donald Trump referred to South Korea as a "money machine," claiming the country would be paying $10 billion annually if he were still in the White House.

2024-10-16

Korea, U.S. clinch defense cost-sharing deal, agree to 8.3% increase in 2026

Korea and the United States finalized the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA), which determines Seoul's share of the cost for upkeeping American troops stationed in the country from 2026 to 2030, the Foreign Ministry announced Friday.

2024-10-04

Trump ally says 'strong' U.S. president will help South Korea

North Korea and Russia will cease to have a reason to trade weapons once the war in Ukraine ends, and Trump’s return to the White House could bring about that change, said Fred Fleitz, deputy director of the America First Policy Institute.

2024-07-13

Fourth round of USFK cost-sharing talks wrap up in Seoul

South Korea and the United States ended Thursday their fourth round of negotiations on determining how much Seoul should shoulder for stationing American troops here, officials said.

2024-06-27

Rate increases, 'Trump risk' at heart of second round of USFK cost sharing talks

The second round of negotiations for the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) to determine South Korea's share of the costs for stationing U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) after 2026 was held in Seoul on Tuesday.

2024-05-21

U.S. negotiator arrives to seal deal on defense cost sharing with Seoul

Linda Sprecht arrived in Korea for the 12th Special Measures Agreement negotiations to determine the balance of cost sharing for the USFK deployment.

2024-05-19

Allies name chief negotiators for cost-sharing talks amid Trump reelection fears

The Foreign Ministry in Seoul on Tuesday named Lee Tae-woo, a career diplomat and former consul general in Sydney, to head the South Korean side of the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA).

2024-03-05

Fearing Trump, Korea and U.S. get early start on defense cost-sharing talks

Seoul and Washington agreed to begin negotiations to renew their defense cost-sharing deal within the year, starting earlier than usual in case Donald Trump is re-elected in the United States later this year, according to multiple diplomatic...

2024-01-17