South Korea and the United States have appointed envoys, Lee Tae-woo and Linda Specht, respectively, to initiate talks on cost-sharing for American troops stationed in South Korea. The action is unusually early for a contract that is scheduled to start in 2026; it could be an attempt to reach an agreement prior to Donald Trump’s possible reelection as US president.
Since the early 1990s, South Korea has been paying for local labour and military sites to offset the costs of 28,500 American troops stationed there as a deterrent to North Korea.
Both nations aim to strengthen their defence posture and alliance through these talks. While no date is set for negotiations, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lim Soo-suk, highlighted the need for advanced preparation due to the historical length of negotiations.
During Trump’s presidency, tensions arose over cost-sharing, with Trump pushing South Korea to pay up to $5 billion annually. The upcoming talks could potentially extend the Special Measures Agreement beyond 2026, anticipating Trump’s return. Past negotiations saw prolonged discussions, with Seoul eventually agreeing to a 13.9% increase in its contribution, the largest in nearly two decades.
