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Korea Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul should set new bottom line for USFK: expert
Seoul needs to be proactive in setting the new 'baseline' with Washington over the talks involving a possible change in the role of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea stationed here, a Seoul-based military and foreign relations expert said Wednesday. 'South Korean officials and experts' current discussions, in dealing with Washington's talks of strategic flexibility of the USFK, are focused on maintaining the current situation or reacting to the US' moves,' Jo Bee-yun, a research fellow at Sejong Institute said in a report. 'However, Seoul must take a proactive approach (toward the issue) and prevent any radical adjustments to the USFK,' she added. The report comes amid growing speculation that Washington may reduce and reconfigure the USFK to prioritize deterrence of Chinese threats. A May report by the Wall Street Journal indicated that Washington was reviewing wheter to relocate 4,500 troops from South Korea to other areas in the Indo-Pacific region. US President Donald Trump has been also putting pressure on Seoul to sharply increase its spending on national defense or pay more fo the cost of stationing the USFK on the peninsula. He recently took a jab at the latest South Korea-US defense cost-sharing deal, dubbed, the Special Measures Agreement, signed under the previous Joe Biden administration last year, saying falsely that the cost was reduced 'to nothing.' The latest SMA for the 2026-2030 period states that Korea is to pay 1.52 trillion won ($1.11 billion) next year, up from 1.4 trillion won this year. In this regard, Jo pointed out that the gap between the stance on security priorities between Seoul and Washington are growing wider. 'South Korea prioritizes responding to threats from North Korea due to its geopolitical conditions, but the US is attempting to expand the strategic flexibility of the USFK with the focus on deterring threats from China — this has led to a widened gap between stances on security,' she explained. To prevent further security risks, Jo claimed Seoul must first admit the possibility of a USFK troop reduction and set a new baseline that could help maintain the strength of the South Korea-US alliance and Washington's commitment to extended deterrence. Specifically, Seoul would need to propose to Washington about maintaining at least 15,000 troops on the peninsula, as well as the current level of the 'Super Squadron' formation test, an initiative by the US Air Force, to consolidate a larger number of F-16 fighter jets into a single squadron at Osan Air Base. The test is aimed enhancing combat effectiveness. Seoul should also pursue permanent deployment of an F-35A wing, a radar-evading aircraft, to Kunsan Air Base and request Washington to continue to send four-star generals to lead the USFK, she added. Advancing and developing conventional-nuclear integration options, under which South Korea mobilizes its conventional military assets to back America's nuclear operations in a crisis scenario, would be another key step, Jo noted.
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
No discussion taking place at all on USFK withdrawal or downsizing: FM nominee
South Korea and the United States have held no discussions at all over withdrawing or downsizing US troops stationed in the South, Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun said Tuesday. Cho made the remarks in a statement submitted to members of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing scheduled for Thursday. The statement came amid continued speculation that, under President Donald Trump's second term, Washington may downsize the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea or redefine its role to focus on deterring Chinese threats. "There have not been any issues discussed at all," the nominee said, indicating that the allies have not discussed withdrawing or reducing the USFK so far. "The need to retain the USFK at its current level is being widely recognized in the US Congress and academic circles," Cho also noted. Referring to the Trump administration's growing pressure for increased burden-sharing in the upkeep of the USFK, the nominee reiterated South Korea's stance that the five-year Special Measures Agreement signed last year is not subject to renegotiation. Seoul signed the 12th SMA with Washington during the previous Joe Biden administration for the 2026-30 period, under which Korea is to pay 1.52 trillion won (US$1.1 billion) next year for the USFK's upkeep, up from 1.4 trillion won this year. Once in office, Cho said he will work to establish a joint vision with the United States to advance the South Korea-US alliance into a "future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance," going beyond sector-specific cooperation to expand and balance mutual gains. Stressing the Lee Jae Myung administration's vision to ease military tensions and build trust by resuming dialogue with North Korea, Cho emphasized the need to revive talks between the US and North Korea to resolve North Korea's nuclear issues. "While closely cooperating with the US, the government will work to create conditions for dialogue on North Korea's nuclear issues and promote negotiations between the US and North Korea," he said. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
09-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
S. Korea proposes trade, security package deal in tariff talks with US
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Wednesday that South Korea has proposed a "package deal" encompassing economic and security considerations in bilateral tariff negotiations, while also suggesting an early summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters following a four-day visit to Washington, Wi said he held "in-depth" discussions on trade negotiations and broader alliance issues in meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials. During his trip, Trump sent a letter to Lee that said the United States would start imposing 25 percent tariffs on all South Korean products imported on Aug. 1, which effectively extended the initial tariff deadline and allowed more time for negotiations. While Trump's letter primarily addressed tariff and non-tariff barriers, Wi said he proposed broadening the discussions to include trade, security and alliance-related issues in his meeting with Rubio. "We raised a range of issues spanning trade, investment, procurement and security, and suggested moving forward with negotiations by taking this comprehensive package into account," Wi said. To advance negotiations on these matters, Wi proposed that President Lee hold a summit with Trump in the near future. "I proposed holding a Korea-US summit at an early date to help facilitate mutually beneficial agreements on key pending issues, and Secretary Rubio expressed his support," he noted, adding that a specific date was not discussed. Addressing Trump's claim that South Korea contributes "very little" to US military support, Wi defended that South Korea is making substantial contributions to the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea (USFK), citing the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) signed between the allies. Last year, Seoul and Washington signed the 12th SMA for the 2026-2030 period, under which Korea is to pay 1.52 trillion won ($1.11 billion) next year, up from 1.4 trillion won this year. "We're paying around 1.5 trillion won, and on top of that, there are separate contributions under the cost-sharing arrangement," he said. "Beyond the SMA, we're gradually increasing our overall defense spending in line with international trends. Our contribution is substantial and there's potential for it to grow further." Following Trump's remarks, Seoul's foreign ministry said it will comply with the existing terms of the defense cost-sharing deal, saying the 12th SMA is "validly concluded and in effect." Aside from the USFK cost, the Pentagon said recently that South Korea and other Asian allies are subject to the new "global standard" of spending 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, a target similar to that set for North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies.
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
South Korea cites previously agreed terms with US on sharing defence costs after Trump's demand
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mr Trump has accused Seoul of "free-riding" on US military might, with some 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea. SEOUL – South Korea will follow terms previously agreed with the United States on defence cost sharing, its foreign ministry said on July 8, following a call by US President Donald Trump for Seoul to pay more for the US troop presence in the country. Just before Mr 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 towards the upkeep of US troops by 8.3 per cent to US$1.47 billion (S$1.88 billion) in the first year. Mr Trump said the US' 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 Mr Trump's remarks. Mr Trump has accused Seoul of "free-riding" on US military might, with some 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea as part of efforts to deter nuclear-armed North Korea. With South Korea and the US engaged in tariff negotiations, the new Lee Jae-myung administration wants to expedite the talks ahead of a new Aug 1 deadline. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore to hire 1,000 new educators annually in the next few years, up from 700 Singapore COE prices rise for all categories Business Temasek reports $45 billion rise in net portfolio value to $434 billion Business S'pore must balance risks as it seeks to capture new wealth management opportunities: Chee Hong Tat Singapore Pritam's appeal against conviction, sentence over lying to Parliament set for Nov 4 Singapore Female primary school teacher allegedly committed sex acts with underage male student Singapore 2,000 EV chargers in condominiums co-funded under government grant Business Malaysia makes first rate cut in five years after US announces 25% tariff Various issues are intertwined and influence each other, South Korea's top security adviser, Mr Wi Sung-lac, told reporters this week, when asked whether defence costs were linked to tariff negotiations. Mr 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. REUTERS
The Star
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
South Korea says to follow agreed terms on sharing defence costs after Trump's demand
Employees work at Pyeongtaek port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea will follow terms previously agreed with the United States on defence cost sharing, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday, following a call by U.S. President Donald Trump for Seoul to pay more for the U.S. troop presence in the country. Just before Trump won the presidential election in November, the countries struck a new five-year plan on sharing the cost of keeping U.S. troops in South Korea. Under the plan, Seoul would raise its contribution toward the upkeep of U.S. troops by 8.3% to $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% 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 U.S. 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. Various issues are intertwined and influence each other, South Korea's top security adviser Wi Sung-lac told reporters this week, when asked whether defence costs were linked to tariff negotiations. Wi met U.S. 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. (Reporting by Joyce Lee, Ju-min Park; Editing by Ed Davies)
