The new arrangement calls for Seoul to boost its contribution to the cost of US forces stationed in the country. - AFP/US FORCES KOREA
WASHINGTON/SEOUL (Reuters): South Korea will increase its contribution to the cost of US forces stationed in the country under an agreement reached with the United States, the State Department said on Sunday (March 7), easing an irritant in ties between the two allies.
The agreement reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to reinvigorating and modernizing our democratic alliances around the word to advance our shared security and prosperity, a State Department spokeswoman said.
The proposed six-year Special Measures Agreement will replace the previous arrangement that expired at the end of 2019.
The United States and South Korea agreed on a “meaningful increase” of Seoul’s contribution to the cost of American military support on the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. Department of State told NK News on Monday. The U.S. State Department and South Korea’s foreign ministry did not disclose how much more Seoul will have to pay […]
Posted : 2021-03-08 16:23
Updated : 2021-03-09 09:26
Jeong Eun-bo, left, Korea s chief negotiator in defense cost-sharing talks with the United States, and his U.S. counterpart Donna Welton hold the latest round of negotiations in Washington, D.C., Sunday. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
By Kang Seung-woo
Although Korea and the United States have finally closed a long-delayed defense cost-sharing deal hardly favorable to Korea, it is not just something Seoul can sit back and enjoy, according to diplomatic observers, as it is now expected to face demands from Washington in return to play a certain role as a long-time ally, such as participating in the U.S.-led anti-China coalition.
South Korea to Boost Funding for US Troops Under New Accord, US Says shanghainews.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from shanghainews.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
South Korea and US Reach Agreement on Defense Cost Sharing
Seoul and Washington finally agreed on how to split the bill for the U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, but have not revealed details.
March 08, 2021
Republic of Korea Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Jeong Kyeong-doo and Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Command and United Nations Command, and Gen. Kim Byeong-joo, CFC deputy commander, render the appropriate honors during a ceremony at United States Army Garrison Yongsan, Sept. 26, 2017.
Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Eliverto Larios
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After a three-day negotiation in Washington, South Korea and the United States have finally concluded their Special Measures Agreement (SMA) talks, according to a statement by South Korea’s Foreign Ministry on March 8. The SMA negotiations – which cover South Korea’s contribution to the cost of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) – had been deadl