U.S. and South Korea Discuss New Agreement on Troop Cost Sharing
In a series of talks this week, U.S. and South Korean officials have been working on outlining their respective visions for a new agreement on sharing the cost of keeping American troops in South Korea. The chief U.S. negotiator, Linda Specht, stated that both parties will continue to consult as necessary to reach a fair and equitable outcome.
The talks come as both countries named envoys last month to begin early discussions for a new deal that is set to take effect in 2026. South Korean media reports suggest that there is a push to finalize the agreement before any potential November election comeback by former President Donald Trump, who previously criticized Seoul for “free-riding” on U.S. military might during his presidency.
More than 28,000 American troops are currently stationed in South Korea as part of efforts to deter nuclear-armed North Korea. South Korea has been shouldering the costs of this deployment since the early 1990s, funding local labor, military installations, and logistics support.
During Trump’s presidency, negotiations for cost-sharing were contentious, with Seoul eventually agreeing to a 13.9% increase in its contribution over the previous pact. Trump had initially demanded as much as $5 billion a year from South Korea.
The current agreement is set to expire in 2025, with negotiations for a successor pact typically taking place just before the end of the existing one. Both sides are working towards a new deal that will strengthen and sustain the alliance between the two countries.