US Deputy Defense Secretary: "Trump Clearly Demanded Increase in Defense Cost-Sharing"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] David Norquist, Deputy Secretary of Defense of the U.S., said regarding the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) negotiations on South Korea-U.S. defense cost-sharing, "(President Donald Trump) has made it very clear that he wants other countries to increase their own investments, and we support that."

Deputy Secretary Norquist appeared at a House Budget Committee hearing on the 10th (local time) and responded to a question from Chairman John Yarmuth asking, "It is known that President Trump demanded a fivefold increase in South Korea's defense cost-sharing. If South Korea refuses to pay, what impact would that have and what would happen?"

Deputy Secretary Norquist said, "The State Department is leading the negotiations," and added, "I think we look forward to working with the Korean people."

He also avoided answering by saying, "Regarding the negotiations, I will defer to the State Department on what the most recent plans are or what the alternative plans would be if one of them is not implemented."

South Korea and the U.S. are currently engaged in difficult negotiations to conclude the 11th SMA after the 10th SMA agreement expired at the end of last year, leaving a gap in the agreement. The U.S. side has shown no signs of backing down, even pressuring unpaid leave for Korean workers of the U.S. Forces Korea.

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