Trump urges Korea to pay more for USFK

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a coronavirus briefing at the White House, Monday. / AP-Yonhap

By Kang Seung-woo

U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that Korea should pay more of the costs for the upkeep of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), raising speculation that defense cost-sharing talks between the allies may be protracted.

"They've offered us a certain amount of money and I've rejected it," Trump said during a coronavirus press briefing at the White House, Monday (local time).

"I just said it's just, look, you know, we're doing a tremendous service. We have a wonderful feeling and a wonderful relationship with each other, but we have to be treated equitably and fairly."

It was the first official statement from the United States that confirmed media reports that the American president rebuffed what was probably Korea's best offer earlier this month.

Late last month, the Korean government hinted that the sides were on the verge of signing the new Special Measure Agreement (SMA). The SMA determines Seoul's financial contribution to stationing 28,500 American troops across the Korean Peninsula.

However, the two sides have yet to make announcements about them reaching a conclusion, followed by reports that Trump rejected Korea's offer for a 13 percent increase from the previous cost-sharing accord.

Trump wants Korea to pay $4 billion a year, around quadruple the amount paid for last year, while the Korean government proposed an increase of around 10 percent.

"We're asking them to pay for a big percentage of what we're doing. It's not fair," Trump said. "We're defending nations that are very wealthy. South Korea is a very wealthy nation. They make our television sets. They make ships. They make everything. And I give them great credit."

There is no sign of the Korean government trying to resume talks to strike a deal until the U.S. demands a "reasonable" increase.

"Since Korea and the U.S. were closer to inking a new deal, they have yet to agree on resuming negotiations," a foreign ministry official said, adding that they were staying in touch.

Due to the stalled talks, about 4,000 Korean staff at U.S. military bases here have been placed on unpaid leave for an indefinite period starting this month.

"Increasing Korea's SMA contribution was part of Trump's campaign pledge, so he cannot back off easily," said Park Won-gon, a professor of international politics at Handong Global University.

Park said the government should act quickly to address the issue.

"On his way to the re-election campaign, Trump may ramp up pressure on Korea to spend more," he said. "In addition, if he links the negotiations with other bilateral issues, including the transition of wartime operational control, the government may be placed in trouble as well."
Meanwhile, Trump said the issue was not about troop levels, but how much Korea would be able to pay, denying reports that Washington may consider reducing the number of the USFK as a means to pressure Seoul.

"It's not a question of reduction," he said. "It's a question of will they contribute toward the defense of their own nation," Trump said.

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