South Korea Begins USFK Cost Sharing Negotations Early Before Any Potential Election of Donald Trump

This is probably a smart move by the ROK to complete cost sharing negotations before any potential of Donald Trump being elected President. During his prior presidency he put enormous pressure on the ROK to pay more for the upkeep of USFK:

Korea and the United States have agreed to begin talks on their next deal on defense cost sharing earlier than planned, sources said, Jan. 16. Yonhap

Korea and the United States have agreed to begin talks on their next deal on defense cost sharing earlier than planned, sources said Tuesday, a move that appears to consider the possible reelection of former U.S. President Donald Trump, known for his tough bargaining on such deals.

The allies have reached an understanding to start the negotiations on sharing the costs for the upkeep of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), this year, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the matter.

The early talks, if launched, will come nearly two years ahead of the original schedule for the deal, known as the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), currently in effect until the end of 2025 under a six-year term.

Seoul and Washington signed the SMA for 2020-26 in April 2021 after 1 1/2 years of tough haggling over how much Seoul should pay for the stationing of the USFK on its soil, as the then Trump administration had called for a sharp increase in Seoul’s share.

The early launch of the defense cost-sharing talks appear to have taken into account the possibility of Trump returning to the White House if he wins the November presidential vote.

During his term in office, Trump accused the allies of relying on the U.S. for their defense and called them “free riders” who “rip off” America. Some media had reported that Trump demanded Seoul pay $5 billion for its share, more than a fivefold increase from 2019.

Korea Times

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