Defense Cost-Sharing Talks Shift to 'Non-Face-to-Face'... Korea-US Relations Escalate to the Extreme

Unpaid Leave for Korean Workers at USFK Set to Begin on Next Month 1st, Chances of Dramatic Resolution Diminish
Concerns Growing Even Within the US

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Negotiations between South Korea and the United States for the conclusion of the 11th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing have shifted to a non-face-to-face format. Despite seven rounds of in-person talks failing to find common ground with the U.S. side, the South Korean delegation has not completely given up hope for a full agreement within this month. However, with the unpaid leave of Korean workers employed by the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) scheduled to begin on the 1st of next month, the possibility of a dramatic resolution is increasingly slim.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 25th, both South Korea and the U.S. plan to continue defense cost-sharing negotiations remotely due to entry restrictions caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). A ministry official stated, “Given the current significant restrictions on international travel, it is uncertain whether meetings will be held,” adding, “We plan to conduct consultations through various means such as phone calls or video conferences and are maintaining close communication.” This implies that scheduling additional in-person negotiations in the near future has become difficult. Previously, after concluding the 7th round of defense cost-sharing talks in Los Angeles from the 17th to 19th (local time), Special Representative Jung Eun-bo told reporters, “There are various communication channels such as phone and email, as well as embassy channels, so we have agreed to continue consultations.”

With significant differences in positions between South Korea and the U.S., and the inability to engage in intensive face-to-face negotiations, the likelihood of a dramatic agreement has further diminished. While Special Representative Jung expressed a commitment to minimizing any gaps in the agreement, the U.S. State Department pressured South Korea by insisting on “greater focus and flexibility.” The U.S. side is insisting on a substantial increase in defense costs and a comprehensive agreement, and has officially rejected even phased negotiations aimed at preventing the unpaid leave situation of Korean workers employed by USFK, pushing the situation to an extreme.

Moreover, it is reported that after Special Representative Jung’s visit to the U.S. for negotiations, he has been self-quarantining in accordance with government quarantine policies, which has hindered smooth meetings within the South Korean delegation. A Foreign Ministry official explained, “Enhanced service guidelines requiring public officials who have visited countries with local COVID-19 infections to self-quarantine for 14 days have been in effect since yesterday.”

Accordingly, the negotiation team, including Special Representative Jung who visited Los Angeles for the 7th round of talks and returned on the 21st, is currently working from home. A government official stated, “As previously mentioned, we are communicating with the U.S. via phone and other means,” and assured, “There is no problem with the negotiations.” The official also emphasized that it is not yet time to give up on a full agreement before the implementation of unpaid leave.

As tough negotiations continue, concerns are growing over the actualization of unpaid leave for Korean workers employed by USFK. The USFK Command plans to finalize the list of Korean employees subject to unpaid leave and notify them individually. Those notified will begin unpaid leave starting from the 1st of next month.

The Korean Workers’ Union of USFK is urging a change in the U.S. government’s stance. On the 20th, the union held a press conference in front of the U.S. Embassy in South Korea to protest the unpaid leave. It is reported that the USFK Command expressed an intention to somewhat reduce the number of unpaid leave personnel, but Korean workers plan to continue demanding a change in the U.S. government’s position through actions such as work stoppages.

Concerns are also emerging within the U.S. According to Voice of America (VOA), Vincent Brooks, former Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, said, “The differences between the two sides are very large, and there is little time left before unpaid leave begins,” adding, “We may need to create a ‘new normal’ rather than relying on the existing defense cost-sharing framework, which could politicize the issue further and make an agreement even more difficult.”

Mitchell Reiss, former Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. State Department, also evaluated that “the U.S. side is exerting excessive pressure.” He particularly predicted that progress in negotiations would be difficult due to overlapping South Korean general elections, and that the U.S. is unlikely to actively engage in negotiations until the November presidential election.

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