[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Why Did the USFK Notify Korean Workers of Unpaid Leave?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The United States Forces Korea (USFK) has decided to implement a temporary furlough for Korean workers starting April 1, as the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing has not been finalized. This is in accordance with U.S. law, which requires a two-month advance notice before unpaid leave is enforced.

On the 29th, USFK stated in a press release, "Since the 2019 defense cost-sharing agreement has not been concluded and there is a possibility that the gap will continue, we have begun to notify Korean employees of USFK in advance that a temporary furlough may be implemented starting April 1."

USFK also said, "Along with notifying about the temporary furlough, we will hold meetings from the 28th to the 30th of this month to answer questions from Korean workers," adding, "If Korea does not share the employment costs of Korean employees, the USFK command will soon exhaust the funds needed to pay the salaries and wages of Korean employees."

The U.S. military’s announcement of this fact through a press release on the same day is in accordance with relevant regulations, but it has also been interpreted as an attempt to pressure Korea by leveraging Korean workers. Stephen Williams, the USFK Chief of Staff, sent a letter to the nationwide USFK Korean Workers Union last October stating that if the SMA agreement was not reached, the first notice would begin on January 31 this year, and furlough could be implemented starting April 1.

Additionally, the joint op-ed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper published in an American newspaper on the 16th, openly pressuring for an increase in defense cost-sharing, is seen as reflecting growing U.S. dissatisfaction with the deadlock in negotiations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.