US, "South Korea Must Pay $1.3 Billion in Defense Cost Sharing"

50% Increase Demand Compared to Last Year
Dissatisfaction with Our Side's 13% Increase Proposal as Final Offer
Pressuring Korea to Concede, Claiming Significant Reduction from $5 Billion Initial Demand

Choi Eung-sik, Chairman of the National Korean Workers' Union of the US Forces Korea, is shaving his head on the morning of the 25th in front of the Blue House fountain, demanding improvements to the defense cost-sharing system.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] A U.S. government official revealed that the U.S. requested South Korea to pay $1.3 billion (approximately 1.59 trillion KRW) in defense cost-sharing in relation to the 11th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. Furthermore, the official emphasized that this is the final offer and that the U.S. cannot accept South Korea's 13% increase demand.

On the 7th (local time), a senior official from the Donald Trump administration responded "Yes, $1.3 billion" when asked whether the U.S. proposed $1.3 billion as South Korea's defense cost-sharing amount.

This represents roughly a 50% increase compared to the total South Korean contribution of 1.0389 trillion KRW under the 10th agreement, which was agreed upon for a one-year term early last year.

During last year's negotiations, South Korea withdrew its stance of not exceeding 1 trillion KRW and agreed to 1.0389 trillion KRW. At that time, the U.S. had requested $1 billion. The U.S. is now presenting a final offer that is $300 million more than the amount requested in the 10th negotiation.

In particular, the official stated that compared to the initially proposed $5 billion by the U.S., this amount is "quite reasonable." He further emphasized that this is the "final offer" and said, "We have already lowered it too much."

The official also expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea's stance of demanding a 13% increase. He claimed, "(While we were lowering our demands) what did the South Korean government do? Nothing," highlighting that the U.S. had significantly reduced its request and expressing dissatisfaction with South Korea's position.

A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department also said, "We will not publicly confirm or comment on alliance discussions," but added, "Our longstanding view is that South Korea can and should contribute a fairer share."

He also emphasized, "We have shown considerable flexibility in recent weeks to reach a mutually acceptable agreement," and "The South Korean government also needs to compromise more."

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