South Korea cites previously agreed terms on sharing defence costs after Trump's demand
Just before Trump won the presidential election in November, the countries struck a new five-year plan on sharing the cost of keeping US troops in South Korea. Under the plan, Seoul would raise its contribution toward the upkeep of US troops by 8.3 per cent to US$1.47 billion in the first year.
Trump said America's Asian ally should be paying for its own military protection, a day after saying he planned to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from South Korea.
"Our government is committed to complying with and implementing the 12th SMA (Special Measures Agreement), which has been valid and went into effect," the ministry said in a statement, in which it declined to comment further on Trump's remarks.
Trump has accused Seoul of "free-riding" on US military might, with some 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea as part of efforts to deter nuclear-armed North Korea.
With South Korea and the United States engaged in tariff negotiations, the new Lee Jae Myung administration wants to expedite the talks ahead of a new August 1 deadline.
"It's a fact that we pay 1.5 trillion won (US$1.09 billion) (annually) in defence costs ... Discussions should start from this fact," South Korea's top security adviser Wi Sung-lac told reporters after visiting the US, according to Yonhap.
"Additionally, there are many direct and indirect defence support costs, and we are also trying to increase them in line with the international trend," Wi said, adding that defense costs weren't discussed much during this week's visit.
Wi met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his recent trip to Washington, and the two agreed a summit meeting of the leaders of the countries would help advance cooperation, South Korea's presidential office said.
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