Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
S. Korea braces for rising pressure to shoulder more costs for US troop presence
U.S. Marines move toward a target point after disembarking from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter. Korea and U.S. Marines conducted the 25-1 KMEP joint infantry and combined arms training drill in Pohang, Pocheon and Paju, March 21. Courtesy of Marine Corps Command
By Bahk Eun-ji
Defense cost-sharing negotiations between South Korea and the United States are set to resume following the first phone call between acting President Han Duck-soo and U.S. President Donald Trump Monday.
With Trump renewing pressure on Seoul to cover a larger portion of the cost for U.S. troops stationed on the peninsula, South Korea must respond with strategic finesse to navigate the growing demands.
The phone call, described by officials from the Prime Minister's Office as "amicable," touched on a wide range of issues, including trade, energy cooperation, security alliances and North Korea policy. While the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance, Trump reportedly raised the issue of defense cost-sharing, citing the military partnership between the two countries.
Seoul officials stressed that no specific figures were discussed during the conversation. However, Trump's post-call message on social media hinted at his intent to revisit defense burden-sharing, a hallmark of his first term. According to a senior official at the Prime Minister's Office, South Korea aims to avoid bundling defense cost talks with trade negotiations, instead addressing each issue separately to maintain leverage.
"We will proceed carefully, maintaining the distinction between defense and trade negotiations," the senior official said. "Our goal is to protect national interests while reinforcing the alliance."
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo talks on the phone with U.S. President Donald Trump at Government Complex Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of the Prime Minister's Office
Experts note that Trump's pressure is likely to intensify across both security and economic fronts, forcing Seoul to rethink its negotiation strategy.
"Trump’s pressure on Seoul is likely to come from both economic and security fronts, and South Korea should respond with a comprehensive package deal rather than treating them separately," said Park Won-gon, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University.
Park explained that Trump views South Korea as a country benefitting economically from the U.S. while not contributing enough to security costs. In his view, Seoul needs to propose a package that includes reducing its trade surplus and moderately increasing defense contributions.
"Almost certainly, the basic nature of the U.S.-South Korea alliance will shift," Park said. "Seoul will be expected to independently manage conventional threats from North Korea, while U.S. forces increasingly focus on deterring China."
In practical terms, this could mean that South Korea will need to boost its military capabilities, including purchasing more U.S. weapons, thus indirectly addressing trade imbalances. "South Korea should strengthen its independent defense capabilities to justify a moderate increase in cost-sharing while negotiating to prevent excessive demands on the cost of U.S. troop presence," Park added.
A U.S flag is pictured in the background as U.S. President Donald Trump attends the National Republican Congressional Committee dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, Tuesday. Reuters-Yonhap
The U.S. could use the presence of American troops in Korea as a bargaining chip in the negotiations. While a drastic reduction or full withdrawal is unlikely, Washington could introduce adjustments in operational roles or strategic posture as leverage to press for a greater financial commitment from Seoul.
Meanwhile, the Senate’s recent confirmation of Elbridge Colby as undersecretary of defense signals a tougher U.S. stance on China and a renewed focus on "deterrence by denial." Colby, a critic of the Biden administration's "integrated deterrence" strategy — which seeks to coordinate military, economic and technological means across allies — instead advocates for "deterrence by denial," a concept aimed at making adversaries believe that any attack would fail. In this framework, Colby emphasizes that Seoul should take full responsibility for conventional threats from Pyongyang while U.S. forces focus on broader regional deterrence against China.
Park said that South Korea should avoid being directly involved in a confrontation over the Taiwan issue and instead focus on deterring North Korea to reduce the U.S. military burden.
As negotiations loom, Seoul is preparing for a drawn-out process. Han emphasized the importance of "mutual respect and trust" while officials are working closely with economic and security agencies to formulate a coordinated strategy.
Observers caution that negotiations could be prolonged if Trump demands rapid concessions. Nevertheless, experts agree that South Korea’s best bet lies in highlighting its indispensable strategic role in the region, its growing defense self-reliance and its willingness to contribute while pushing back against excessive or one-sided demands.
It remains to be seen whether South Korea can fully capitalize on its limited but meaningful leverage. But with tensions rising on both economic and security fronts, officials here believe that a cautious but firm hand will be crucial in the months ahead.