Mark Napier, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary: "Defense Cost-Sharing Talks Underway, Both Countries' Dedicated Efforts"... Shared View on Importance of Swift Resolution

Director Ko Yoon-joo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Efforts for Early Resolution... Consensus to Conclude Negotiations This Year"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Mark Napier, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, stated that the swift conclusion of the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing between South Korea and the United States benefits both countries, and efforts are being made through various negotiation channels.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Napier said on the morning of the 20th at an online forum jointly hosted by the Korea Press Foundation and the U.S. East-West Center on the theme of "Global Spread of COVID-19 and the Situation on the Korean Peninsula," "We are making great efforts to reach an agreement on the U.S.-South Korea defense cost-sharing negotiations," adding, "Advancing negotiations in accordance with the U.S.-South Korea alliance is beneficial to both countries, and my superiors and their superiors are all working hard toward this goal."

He also reiterated the principle of fair defense cost-sharing. During the Q&A session following his keynote speech, Deputy Assistant Secretary Napier said, "President Donald Trump clearly stated during his election campaign that defense costs should be shared fairly with allied countries," adding, "This is to ensure that the American people do not bear an excessive burden."

Furthermore, he said, "This applies not only to South Korea but also to European allies," and added, "Ultimately, we want to move toward a way of sharing defense costs fairly that strengthens the capabilities of the alliance."

A South Korean Foreign Ministry official who gave a keynote speech on behalf of the Korean side expressed the existing position of "reasonable and fair sharing." Ko Yoon-joo, Director General of the North American Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized, "Defense cost-sharing must be reasonable and fair," adding, "South Korea will strive for a swift conclusion based on the recognition that it must contribute to the alliance, keeping in mind public support and respecting the National Assembly's budget review authority."

Director General Ko further argued that active communication between the chief negotiators of both countries is ongoing and that reaching mutually agreeable points is important. He said, "Communication between the U.S. and South Korean chief negotiators is actively continuing," adding, "Negotiations must be mutually agreeable." He also added, "There is a consensus that the negotiations should be concluded this year, and I think good results will come if negotiations proceed based on this."

South Korea and the United States began negotiations on the 11th SMA, which will apply from this year, in September of last year but have yet to reach a final conclusion. At the end of March, a provisional agreement was reached at the working-level between the two countries to increase the contribution by 13% compared to last year, but it was not finalized due to President Trump's rejection. Since then, the U.S. side is reported to have proposed an increase of more than 50%.

Meanwhile, the diplomatic officials from both countries who attended the online forum evaluated the U.S.-South Korea alliance as stronger than ever. Director General Ko cited four examples and said, "The U.S.-South Korea alliance is very strong, and the bilateral relationship is better than ever," and Deputy Assistant Secretary Napier also assessed, "The U.S.-South Korea relationship is solid and strong."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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