South Korea stands firm on US defence costs despite Trump’s demands
South Korea reaffirmed its commitment to the existing defence cost-sharing deal with the US, despite Trump’s calls for higher payments for US troops stationed there
Just before Trump won the presidential election in November, the countries struck a new five-year plan on sharing the cost of keeping US troops in South Korea. Under the plan, Seoul would raise its contribution toward the upkeep of US troops by 8.3 per cent to US$1.47 billion in the first year.
Trump said America’s Asian ally should be paying for its own military protection, a day after saying he planned to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from South Korea.
“Our government is committed to complying with and implementing the 12th SMA (Special Measures Agreement), which has been valid and went into effect,” the ministry said in a statement in which it declined to comment further on Trump’s remarks.
Trump has accused Seoul of “freeriding” on US military might, with some 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea as part of efforts to deter nuclear-armed North Korea.
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