Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks on eyeing "ownership" of land lent to host U.S. military bases in South Korea are likely a tactic aimed at gaining an upper hand in security talks, as Washington pushes South Korea to take on a bigger defense role, experts said Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump made the remark as he met President Lee Jae Myung at the White House on Monday for their first high-stakes summit amid an array of security issues facing the allies, ranging from a potential drawdown of the 28,500-strong U.S. forces stationed in South Korea to the U.S. call to hike defense spending. Trump stated his intention to ask for ownership of the land where U.S. bases are located, citing significant expenditures on infrastructure.
Currently, South Korea lends the sites for U.S. military bases under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which is part of the Mutual Defense Treaty. This agreement provides the U.S. with the use of facilities and areas "without cost" while mandating the return of such facilities when they are no longer needed.
Revisions to this agreement would require parliamentary approval in South Korea, potentially leading to political backlash over concerns regarding Trump's expansionist rhetoric, which previously included interests in Greenland and other territories.
Experts suggest Trump's "ownership" remarks are likely intended as a bargaining tactic in ongoing security discussions. Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, suggested these remarks relate to the strategic importance of the U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek, home to Camp Humphreys, the largest overseas U.S. military base.
The legal framework currently prevents ownership transfer, and opposition is expected. Shin Beom-chul, director at the Sejong Institute, emphasized the absence of any precedent for U.S. ownership of overseas military base land, suggesting the comments are a form of pressure on South Korea.
In response to the summit, President Lee Jae Myung indicated South Korea's intention to increase defense spending, aiming for a more proactive role in regional security. The country has allocated 61.2 trillion won (US$43.8 billion) for defense this year, representing 2.32 percent of its GDP and a 3.1 percent increase from the previous year.