Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that South Korea contributes "very little" towards the cost of American military support, suggesting that the Asian nation should finance its own defense. His comments come amid speculation that the U.S. administration may push for South Korea to significantly boost its defense expenditures or increase its share of the costs for the stationing of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
According to Yonhap News Agency, during a Cabinet meeting, Trump reiterated the idea that South Korea should bear a larger portion of defense expenses, highlighting past negotiations where he pressed Seoul for a substantial increase in financial contributions to the USFK. He claimed that during his first term, he secured billions of dollars from South Korea, only for President Biden to allegedly reduce the defense cost-sharing when he took office.
Trump's remarks emphasized his perception of South Korea as a financially successful nation that benefits economically from American military presence. He recalled negotiating defense cost-sharing agreements, expressing frustration over what he described as a "rigged election" that prevented further discussions.
The president inaccurately stated that 45,000 U.S. soldiers are based in Korea, arguing that the presence of American troops bolsters the economies of host countries like Korea and Germany. He also criticized the perceived reduction in defense contributions under the Biden administration, asserting it as a significant financial loss for the United States.
Despite Trump's claims, Korea has been contributing to the USFK presence since 1991 through the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), covering costs such as Korean USFK workers, military facility construction, and logistical support. Recently, Seoul and Washington signed the latest SMA for the 2026-2030 period, increasing Korea's payment to 1.52 trillion won ($1.11 billion) next year.
In addition to USFK costs, the Pentagon has indicated that South Korea and other Asian allies are expected to meet a new "global standard" by spending 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, in response to China's growing assertiveness.