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The United States and South Korea have kicked off negotiations for a new six-year cost-sharing agreement for maintaining 28,500 US troops in South Korea.
Some background: From 2016 to 2020, South Korea spent around $1.45 billion a year to support US troops, covering expenses like construction and civilian workforce costs at US bases. The US contributes about $3.3 billion annually to its operations in South Korea. Previously, Former President Donald Trump pushed for a substantial increase, demanding $5 billion per year.
What’s going on now: Negotiations for the new six-year agreement between the US and South Korea are ongoing, with the latest round of talks held in Seoul. This was the seventh meeting since negotiations began in April. Both sides are seeking to create a “reasonable” cost-sharing deal to maintain the 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea.
Digging Deeper: Currently, the US maintains a permanent troop presence of 28,500 troops in South Korea to deter North Korean aggression and ensure the security and stability of the Korean Peninsula. These troops also project US power in the region, counterbalancing North Korea’s military and deterring potential threats from China and Russia.
North Korea & China’s view: North Korea consistently views the presence of US troops in South Korea as a direct threat to its regime and sovereignty. In frequent statements, North Korean officials condemn the growing U.S.-South Korea military partnership and joint drills, seeing them as invasion rehearsals and intimidation tactics. These exercises, intended to enhance the readiness and coordination of US and South Korean forces, often provoke North Korea to respond with aggressive rhetoric, missile tests, and other military provocations. China has previously shared similar concerns about the US military buildup in South Korea.
