US-Korea Defense Cost Negotiations Concluded … US “Korea Significant Increase”

Ambassador Chung Eun-bo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will meet with Donna Welton, the United States negotiator in Washington, United States, on the 7th (local time). [사진 외교부]

South Korea and the United States announced on the 7th (local time) that they have concluded negotiations on the Special Defense Cost Sharing Agreement (SMA) between the United States and Korea for more than a year on the issue of cost of stationing US forces in Korea.

The negotiations, which began with the Donald Trump administration and fell into a stalemate for more than a year, ignited when the Joe Biden administration entered, emphasizing the reestablishment of alliance relations. The conclusion of the negotiations reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to revitalize and modernize the global democratic alliance, the State Department explained.

The two sides did not announce any specific agreements, such as the rate of increase for Korea’s stake and the contract term. The State Department responded to JoongAng Ilbo’s questions about the deal, saying, “The deal includes a significant increase from Korea.”

The Foreign Ministry said in a press release on the day that “the representatives of the two countries negotiated the XI SMA between Korea and the United States on the basis of discussions and, as a result, an agreement of principles was reached.”

The Foreign Ministry said, “The government will contribute to strengthening the alliance between the ROK and the United States and the combined defense posture, which is the central axis of peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula and in the Northeast Asia, through the conclusion of an agreement as soon as possible. ”

The State Department announced that “the negotiating team of the Republic of Korea and the United States agreed in principle on the new text of the SMA.” A State Department spokesperson told JoongAng Ilbo: “We are pleased that negotiators from the ROK and the United States have reached consensus on the SMA text, which will strengthen the ROK-United States alliance. United and joint defense “.

The Political and Military Bureau of the State Department in charge of the negotiations stated that the text of the new agreement includes an increase in the amount of South Korean aid to the USFK, and that the ROK-EE. The US is the hub of Northeast Asia and India. Pacific region and beyond for world peace, security and prosperity. It also revealed that it contains content that reaffirms that it is.

In the new SMA, remarks are made that both parties have agreed to a multi-year contract. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) cited diplomatic sources and reported that the new agreement would last until 2026. Reuters said it was a six-year agreement. The 11th SMA currently being traded is retroactive to 2020, so if the deal is valid until 2026, it will be a 7-year contract.

At the last face-to-face meeting held in Los Angeles (LA) in March last year, the ROK and the US tentatively agreed on a plan for Korea to increase its share of defense costs in 2020 by 13%. from last year’s turnout (1.389 trillion won), but I will not get approval from President Donald Trump. I could not reach a final agreement. President Trump demanded a share of $ 5 billion (about 5.6 trillion won), an amount five times more than before.

The negotiations, which began in late 2019 and had not been able to reach an agreement for more than a year, turned the mood with the inauguration of President Biden. President Biden, who set the diplomatic goal of rebuilding the alliance as a diplomatic goal, sent a message to South Korea immediately after his election, saying “I will not blackmail the alliance,” proclaiming Trump’s differentiation.

“The US alliance is a tremendous source of our strength,” said a State Department spokesman. “The conclusion of the negotiations reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to revitalize and modernize the global democratic alliance to promote common security and prosperity.”

Eun-bo Chung (right), ambassador for the Defense Cost Share (SMA) negotiations between South Korea and the United States in Washington, USA on the 7th, and Donna Welton, defense cost share negotiator representative from From the US Department of State. [사진 외교부]

The two sides held the ninth meeting in Washington, DC, USA from the 5th to the present day. The South Korean side was led by Ambassador Chung Eun-bo, and the US side was led by Donna Welton, the State Department’s defense cost-sharing negotiator.

Initially, Ambassador Chung was scheduled to return to Korea after meeting for two days, but since the program was extended by one day, remarks were made that the two sides had entered into last-minute coordination to reach an agreement.

After completing the internal reporting process, the authorities of the Republic of Korea and the US will officially announce the conclusion of the agreement at the government level and proceed to the order of signing the text of the agreement. Subsequently, the agreement will officially enter into force with the ratification of the National Assembly.

With US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln adjusting the schedule for a visit to Korea in the middle of this month, it is possible that both foreign ministers in Seoul will go to the deal and order it.

Washington = Correspondent Park Hyun-young [email protected]