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Uncertainty as US, S. Korea Enter New Round of Defense Cost-Sharing Talks

Kelly Kasulis

   SEOUL - The United States and South Korea will begin its fourth round
   of negotiations over military defense cost-sharing in Washington, D.C.
   Tuesday after a breakdown in talks last month.

   Jeong Eun-bo, South Korea's top envoy for the negotiations, touched
   down in Dulles International Airport, outside Washington, on Monday
   ahead of the Tuesday and Wednesday talks. He expressed optimism in
   comments at the airport, despite the fact that U.S. negotiators cut
   short talks on Nov. 19 after representatives from both countries
   couldn't find common ground.

   "There were areas that didn't go as planned, but because the two
   countries still share an understanding of the South Korea-US alliance
   and the strengthening of the joint defense posture, I believe we will
   be able to produce a win-win result if we continue discussions with
   patience," Jeong reportedly said on Dec. 2.

   There is pressure to strike a deal, with the two countries' current
   cost-sharing agreement slated to expire by the end of this year. Around
   28,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in South Korea, and Seoul
   already agreed to increase their share of the cost burden by 8.2% last
   February. That brought South Korea's total contribution to around
   $808.5 million -- which is about half of the total cost -- but now,
   Washington negotiators say they want even more.

   During negotiations in Honolulu last October, the U.S. asked South
   Korea to pay about $5 billion -- roughly five times the current
   agreed-upon amount -- starting next year.

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