US "Defense Cost Discussed at ROK-US Defense Ministers Meeting"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Department of Defense announced that the issue of the defense cost-sharing for the United States Forces Korea will be on the agenda at the upcoming South Korea-U.S. Defense Ministers' Meeting scheduled for the 24th in Washington, D.C.

Jonathan Hoffman, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, said during a briefing on the 19th (local time) in response to a question about the main agenda of the South Korea-U.S. Defense Ministers' Meeting, "South Korea is one of the oldest allies in Asia," adding, "Our troops are stationed there and will continue to be so in the future."

He also stated, "We have been working toward an agreement to cover the costs of the troops," and emphasized, "This will clearly be a topic of discussion," indicating that the defense cost-sharing negotiations will be on the agenda of this ministers' meeting. Although the defense cost-sharing negotiations fall under the jurisdiction of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State, it acknowledges the necessity of consultations between the defense ministers, who are the parties involved.

Regarding questions about the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, spokesperson Hoffman said, "There is nothing to announce."

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