Unpaid Leave for Korean Workers in USFK Becomes a Reality... Government "Expects Final Agreement Soon"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The reality has set in that Korean workers employed by the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) will enter unpaid leave starting April 1 due to delays in the conclusion of the South Korea-U.S. Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing. The government estimates that about 4,000 Korean workers at USFK will be subject to unpaid leave.

Jung Eun-bo, South Korea's chief negotiator for the defense cost-sharing talks with the U.S., stated in a video message posted on the government e-briefing website on the 31st, "Today, the USFK Command informed us that unpaid leave for some Korean workers at USFK will be implemented as scheduled starting tomorrow, April 1." He added, "First and foremost, I would like to express my condolences to the USFK workers and their families, and as the chief negotiator, I feel deeply sorry."

He continued, "I regret that the negotiation situation between the two countries was not properly reflected," and urged, "I call for measures to ensure that the Korean workers subject to unpaid leave can return to their workplaces as soon as possible."

Jung also said, "Currently, South Korea and the U.S. are making their best efforts to conclude the defense cost-sharing negotiations, which are in the final stages, in a mutually beneficial manner, and given that significant progress has been made, we expect a final agreement soon."

He pledged, "The government will strive to prepare necessary support measures to minimize any damage to Korean workers at USFK under any circumstances and to promptly conclude the negotiations. Through this, as the chief negotiator, I will do my utmost until the end to contribute to strengthening the 70-year South Korea-U.S. alliance and the combined defense posture."

Meanwhile, South Korea and the U.S. have been negotiating since last September to determine the amount of the defense cost-sharing for this year starting January, but have failed to reach an agreement due to differences over the total amount.

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