Eleventh Month of Stalemate, Turning Point in Defense Cost-Sharing Talks?... US House Introduces 'Korea-US Alliance Resolution'

Democratic Rep. Tam Suoji, Close to Biden, Explains Resolution in Congress on 18th
Resolution on SMA Negotiations Specifies 'Multiyear Agreement with Mutually Acceptable Terms'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Tom Suozzi, a Democratic congressman classified as a close aide to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, is scheduled to directly explain a resolution related to the South Korea-U.S. alliance presented at the House of Representatives plenary session on the 18th, drawing attention to whether the stalled Special Measures Agreement (SMA) negotiations on defense cost-sharing between South Korea and the U.S. can enter a new phase. The resolution includes a phrase stating that the SMA negotiations should result in a multi-year agreement containing mutually acceptable terms.

According to the government on the 16th, the SMA negotiations have been at a standstill since President Donald Trump rejected the 13% increase proposal compared to last year's contribution of 1.0389 trillion won, which was derived by the working-level teams of both countries. Although negotiations began in September last year and the agreement gap has continued for 11 months this year, it is known that the U.S. side has demanded up to $1.3 billion, representing an increase of up to 50% instead of 13%. Even after replacing the chief negotiator from James DeHart to Donna Welton, a former ambassador to Afghanistan, the U.S. side has repeatedly pressured for a significant increase rather than changing its position.

Amid the prolonged deadlock in defense cost-sharing negotiations due to significant differences between the two countries, Congressman Suozzi is scheduled to directly explain the resolutions related to the South Korea-U.S. alliance at the House plenary session at 10 a.m. on the 18th. There are two resolutions: one recognizing the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and the contributions of Korean Americans, and another transforming the alliance into a mutually beneficial global partnership. These resolutions were unanimously passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee in March but were not presented to the plenary session due to political circumstances within the U.S.

These resolutions are expected to provide relief to the negotiations between the two countries, which have faced difficulties due to the Trump administration's excessive demands for increased defense costs. The resolution recognizing the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and the contributions of Korean Americans includes content emphasizing that since the alliance holds a crucial position for U.S. interests in the region, diplomatic, security, and economic cooperation should be further strengthened, and it specifies that the SMA should be concluded as a multi-year agreement with mutually acceptable terms.

The resolution submitted by Congressman Suozzi is highly likely to be adopted at the plenary session barring any unexpected developments. This is because the Democrats control the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Republicans have few objections to the content of the resolution. In particular, the wording of the resolution aligns with the South Korean government's position that both countries are striving for a prompt agreement based on the principle of a reasonable and fair cost-sharing acceptable to both sides, which is expected to significantly narrow the gap between South Korea and the U.S. Professor Jung Dae-jin of Ajou University explained, "The defense cost-sharing negotiations are expected to be concluded at a reasonable level," adding, "The increase level is likely to be decided between the existing 8.2% and 13.0%, and going forward, linking the scale of the increase with the agreement period will be key."

If the resolution passes at the plenary session, Congressman Suozzi plans to hold a separate press conference on the South Korea-U.S. alliance on the 19th. A diplomatic source said, "If the resolution is passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, its effect will influence the diplomatic direction of the Biden administration, which will take office in January next year," and evaluated, "Given the possibility that the defense cost-sharing negotiations may extend beyond this year, this resolution offers hope for negotiations with a new atmosphere."

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