US-South Korea Defense Talks On Track, But No Hard Deadline”

Eko hot blog reports that Negotiations between the United States and South Korea regarding the cost-sharing for American troops stationed in South Korea are progressing smoothly, according to a senior Biden administration official. While the talks are ahead of schedule, there isn’t necessarily a strict deadline looming before the November U.S. election.

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The recent appointment of envoys by both sides signals an early start to discussions for a deal set to take effect in 2026. The aim is to reach an agreement before any potential return of Donald Trump, who, during his presidency, criticized Seoul for not paying enough for U.S. military presence.

Trump had pushed for Seoul to pay up to $5 billion annually for the deployment of around 28,500 American troops aimed at deterring North Korea’s nuclear threats.

Despite the pressure, the U.S. official remains optimistic about the ongoing talks. “We’re fairly confident that our incentives are aligned, and that we will get these negotiations done,” they stated, adding that while progress is desired, November isn’t necessarily a strict deadline.

South Korea has been sharing the costs of U.S. deployments since the early 1990s, covering expenses for local labor, military infrastructure construction, and other logistical support. The current agreement expires in 2025, with negotiations for a successor usually taking place shortly before.

During Trump’s tenure, negotiations were often protracted, with Seoul eventually agreeing to a 13.9% increase in its contribution, the largest in nearly two decades.

Looking ahead to the November election, a senior South Korean official expressed confidence that relations with the United States would remain stable, regardless of the outcome.

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However, they emphasized the importance of making progress on defense cost-sharing talks and other issues this year.

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