The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Tue, January 19, 2021 | 20:21
Defense
Seoul, Washington wrap up defense cost talks without breakthrough
Posted : 2020-01-16 10:24
Updated : 2020-01-16 17:18
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Jeong Eun-bo, the South Korean representative for the country's Special Measures Agreement with the United States, arrives at Dulles international Airport in Virginia, the United States, Jan. 13. Yonhap
Jeong Eun-bo, the South Korean representative for the country's Special Measures Agreement with the United States, arrives at Dulles international Airport in Virginia, the United States, Jan. 13. Yonhap

Jeong Eun-bo, the South Korean representative for the country's Special Measures Agreement with the United States, arrives at Dulles international Airport in Virginia, the United States, Jan. 13. Yonhap
Jeong Eun-bo, right, held the sixth round of Seoul-Washington Special Measures Agreement meeting in Washington, Jan. 14-15, with James DeHart, left. Yonhap
Differences still remain between South Korea and the United States over how to share the cost of stationing American troops in Korea, the foreign ministry said Thursday, after wrapping up the latest round of negotiations in Washington.

The two teams, led by Jeong Eun-bo on the South Korean side and James DeHart on the U.S. side, held their sixth round of talks on Tuesday and Wednesday (U.S. time) to renew the countries' Special Measures Agreement (SMA). The previous SMA expired at the end of last year.

"The two sides broadened their mutual understanding and consensus, but confirmed that there are still differences between them," the foreign ministry said in a statement Thursday without elaborating on what those differences are.

During the talks, the South stuck to its existing position that negotiations should be conducted within the framework of the current agreement and that a "reasonable and equitable" deal should be reached, the ministry said.

The two sides agreed to work together to conclude negotiations at an early date, it said.

The allies have shown disagreement over determining Seoul's payment for maintaining some 28,500 U.S. soldiers on its soil. Washington has demanded a significant increase in the financial contributions and creation of additional categories for Seoul to shoulder the cost for rotational troop deployments to the peninsula.

Under last year's SMA, Seoul was required to pay some US$870 million.

Arriving in Washington on Monday, Jeong told reporters that the two sides are narrowing their differences but still remain apart on how to reach a "comprehensive" deal.

U.S. President Donald Trump has branded South Korea a rich country that should pay more for its defense. In a media interview over the weekend, he claimed, "They're going to pay us a lot more." (Yonhap)











 
WooriBank
 
  • Man jumps to death inside shopping mall in Seoul
  • Foreign residents left out of digital-oriented banking service
  • Lee's jail sentence casts cloud on Samsung's business
  • Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong imprisoned again
  • Heavy snow advisory issued for Seoul
  • Moon calls on Biden to move forward from Singapore agreement with North Korea
  • Will Prestige BioPharma's upcoming IPO continue frenzy in bio market?
  • Shake Shack introduces Korean-inspired chicken sandwich in US
  • LG Energy Solution IPO could test Citigroup's friendship with SK
  • We have met the enemy
  • K-pop expands from entertainment to activism K-pop expands from entertainment to activism
  • Boy group Cravity features in Airbnb's 'Inside K-pop' program Boy group Cravity features in Airbnb's 'Inside K-pop' program
  • Music publishing sector booming with high-profile sales Music publishing sector booming with high-profile sales
  • 'The Uncanny Counter' writer leaves show despite soaring ratings 'The Uncanny Counter' writer leaves show despite soaring ratings
  • Selena Gomez: Big Tech 'cashing in from evil' Selena Gomez: Big Tech 'cashing in from evil'
DARKROOM
  • Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape [PHOTOS]

    Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape [PHOTOS]

  • Second Trump impeachment

    Second Trump impeachment

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

  • Migrants hard hit by COVID-19: UN migration agency

    Migrants hard hit by COVID-19: UN migration agency

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright