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US says much work remains for defense cost deal with South Korea

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U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, right, talks with South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo upon his arrival for the 51st Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) at Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 15. AP-Yonhap
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, right, talks with South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo upon his arrival for the 51st Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) at Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 15. AP-Yonhap

Much work remains to narrow the gap in defense cost-sharing negotiations between South Korea and the United States, a State Department official said Friday, calling on Seoul to compromise.

The two countries have been negotiating a new so-called Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on splitting the cost of maintain the 28,500 American troops of the United States Forces Korea here but failed to reach a deal after six rounds of talks.

The previous SMA expired at the end of last year, leaving South Koreans working on U.S. bases to face a potential furlough starting in April.

"While we are not going to comment or confirm media reports on specifics related to diplomatic discussions between close allies, I can report that significant work remains to narrow the gap between the two sides," the official told Yonhap News Agency on condition of anonymity.

"During the course of negotiations, we have adjusted and compromised. We're looking for compromise from the government of Korea as well," he added.

Washington has demanded a hefty increase in Seoul's financial contributions at U.S. President Donald Trump's urging that allies pay more for their own defense.

Earlier reports had suggested that the U.S. wanted South Korea to pay some US$5 billion this year, up from the $870 million Seoul agreed to pay last year toward Korean workers' wages, the construction of some military facilities and logistical support.

Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters this week that the subject of cost-sharing will be discussed during a meeting in Washington between Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Monday.

If the allies fail to reach a deal in the coming weeks, the U.S. will adjust the services provided by the nearly 9,000 Korean workers on the military bases, according to Rear Adm. William Byrne Jr., vice director of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"We're continuing negotiations, and there are options ― big, medium, small, if you will ― with respect to numbers and we're hoping that the negotiations uncover a viable path so that those services continue," he said, speaking alongside Hoffman, Wednesday. "If needed, we're going to have to prioritize what services those workers provide. We're going to have to prioritize life, health and safety.

"There will certainly be an impact to both the service members and their families," he continued. "Most importantly, we have to focus on the mission. And the mission there is the combined defense of the Republic of Korea."

Earlier this week in Seoul, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams met with the head of the USFK Korean Employees Union and warned him that without a new SMA, "The USFK is out of money and must prepare for a potential furlough."

The continuing impasse has raised worries about the health of the decadeslong alliance at a time when both countries face crucial challenges in the region, including North Korea's nuclear threat and China's military rise.

The State Department, which leads the negotiations, sought to allay those concerns.

"The U.S.-ROK Alliance is strong, and vital for safeguarding peace on the Peninsula as well as stability in the broader Indo-Pacific region," a department official said. "The United States seeks a fair and equitable outcome to the Special Measures Agreement negotiations for both countries that will strengthen and sustain the resilient U.S.-ROK Alliance." (Yonhap)




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