Ruling party vows to veto 'unrealistic' US defense cost request
Rep. Lee In-young speaks during his press conference at the National Assembly, Sunday. Yonhap
By Park Ji-won
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) floor leader Rep. Lee In-young has pledged to use the Assembly's veto power against the “unrealistic” U.S. request for Korea to pay more for American forces here.
Lee claimed that the U.S. demand for Korea to pay $5 billion ― five times the current amount ― was “unrealistic. At a press conference Sunday to mark six months since he became DPK floor leader, he said “If the U.S. government is trying to push through an unreasonable increase of Korea's share of defense costs, the DPK will clearly convey the determination of the party and the Assembly to the U.S. side that Washington will not get the agreement from Seoul's parliament, which has veto power over the cost.”
Stressing that the large increase without any changes in the situation was not based on reasonable, reciprocal principles and sovereignty, he said, “Regarding the demand of the unrealistic military costs of U.S. forces here, the Assembly has no choice but to use its veto power.”
He also pledged to emphasize Seoul's determination during meetings with U.S. congressmen and other Korea floor leaders this week.
His remarks came before going to Washington this week to meet the U.S. officials with Rep. Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) and Rep. Oh Shin-hwan, floor leader of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party.
They recently met to agree on measures over the 11th Special Measures Agreement (SMA), which expires on Dec. 31. The three floor leaders are against the large increase in defense-sharing costs.
The U.S. administration has asked Korea to pay more, citing the cost of operations. Japan has also reportedly been asked to pay about five times as much per year.
Lee also pledged to improve relations with other political parties before the Dec. 3 deadline of the passage of fast-tracked bills on political and prosecutorial reform set by Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang.
“I will use my various channels to narrow differences between political parties for the bills on electoral reform and prosecution reform,” Lee said.
The political parties have been divided over the fast-tracked bills. The LKP pledged to go all-out to deter other parties' moves to pass the bills to stop the “left-leaning” government. Some LKP lawmakers have said they would resign.