Top security aide says Korea faces US pressure to hike defense spending
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, left, talks to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte during their meeting in The Hague, Wednesday (local time). Courtesy of presidential office
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Thursday that Korea is facing calls from the United States to align with the global trend of increasing defense spending, following a decision by the NATO to raise its defense budget target.
Speaking to reporters after returning from the NATO summit held earlier this week in The Hague, Wi noted that NATO member states had agreed to increase their defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2035, a move he said carries implications for Korea as well.
"That is a broader trend, and similar demands have been made to us," Wi said.
Wi said there have been discussions at the working-level in regard to Washington's request that its allies raise their defense spending goal, noting "We need to determine how we will respond."
He added that the issue is expected to come up during upcoming security consultations, emphasizing the need to find common ground as part of preparations for a potential summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump.
On the sidelines of the NATO summit, Wi met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and agreed to work toward arranging an early summit between the two leaders.
When asked whether Rubio might visit Korea around the time of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) foreign ministers' meeting in Malaysia in early July, Wi said, "There is a possibility that U.S. officials may visit Korea on the occasion of the ARF."
During the visit, Wi said he had a chance to have a "brief conversation" with Trump, during which he found that Trump had strong interest in cooperation in the shipbuilding industry.