South Korea should pay more to reimburse the United States for protection provided by 28,000 American troops, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said. Esper made the remarks today in Seoul, where he is meeting with senior South Korean officials, including President Moon Jae-in.
“This is a very strong alliance we have, but Korea is a wealthy country and could and should pay more to help offset the cost of defense,” Esper said at a joint news conference with his South Korean counterpart.
After negotiations last year, the United States and South Korea agreed on a stopgap one-year deal that would increase Seoul’s contribution for 2018 to $920 million. Reports in South Korea say the U.S. wants a five-fold increase to nearly $5 billion a year.
Esper would not confirm the $5 billion, but told reporters traveling with him en route to Korea that “we have asked for a significant increase in the cost-sharing for our deployed troops.”
Esper said at the news conference that it is crucial South Korea agree to increased burden-sharing before the end of the year.
Another round of negotiations is set for next week.
Jamie McIntyre is the Washington Examiner‘s senior writer on defense and national security. His morning newsletter, “Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense,” is free and available by email subscription at dailyondefense.com.
