Seventh Round of US-South Korea Defense Cost Sharing Talks Concludes in Seoul
Seoul, August 29 (Yonhap) – The seventh roundof negotiations for the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost sharing between the United States and South Korea concluded in Seoul on Wednesday, afterthree days of talks.
A South Korean Foreign Ministry official stated that both sides engaged in in-depth discussions to achieve substantial progress on their core concerns, followingthe previous round of negotiations. The two sides plan to hold meetings at any time to discuss matters related to the 12th SMA.
Linda Speight, the U.S. lead negotiator and Principal Advisor for Security Negotiations and Agreementsat the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, issued a statement saying that the U.S. and South Korean delegations made significant progress toward signing a fair and equitable defense cost-sharing agreement. This statement has ledsome to speculate that the two sides narrowed their differences during the seventh round of talks.
The first round of negotiations for the 12th SMA was held in Hawaii from April 23 to 25. Since then, the two sides have held intensive negotiations, with the previous round taking place in Washington fromAugust 12 to 14.
The upcoming U.S. presidential election in November has introduced uncertainty into the defense cost-sharing negotiations. As the election approaches, both sides are accelerating the negotiations, with the question of whether they can reach an agreement before the election drawing considerable attention.
The 11th SMA, signed in 2021, is valid until the end of 2025. Under the agreement, South Korea’s share of defense costs increased by 13.9% year-on-year in 2021, reaching 1.1833trillion won (approximately 63 billion yuan). For the following four years, the amount South Korea contributes will be adjusted annually based on the increase in defense spending.
The seventh round of talks comes amidst ongoing public debate in South Korea regarding the defense cost-sharing agreement. On August 27, civic groups helda demonstration near the Seoul campus of the National Defense University in Yongsan, calling for an end to the SMA negotiations.
The 12th SMA is expected to be a complex and challenging negotiation, with both sides having different priorities and perspectives on the issue. The United States is seeking a greater contribution from South Koreato offset the costs of maintaining its military presence in the region, while South Korea is looking for a more equitable and sustainable arrangement.
The outcome of the negotiations will have significant implications for the U.S.-South Korea alliance and the security dynamics in the region.
Key Takeaways:
- The seventh roundof negotiations for the 12th SMA between the U.S. and South Korea concluded in Seoul on August 29.
- Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions to achieve substantial progress on their core concerns.
- The U.S. lead negotiator expressed optimism about the progress made, suggesting thatthe two sides narrowed their differences.
- The upcoming U.S. presidential election adds uncertainty to the negotiations, with both sides seeking to reach an agreement before the election.
- Public debate in South Korea regarding the defense cost-sharing agreement continues, with some groups calling for an end to the negotiations.
*The 12th SMA is expected to be a complex and challenging negotiation, with both sides having different priorities and perspectives. - The outcome of the negotiations will have significant implications for the U.S.-South Korea alliance and the security dynamics in the region.
Background:
The Special Measures Agreement (SMA) is a bilateral agreement between the United States and South Korea that governs the sharing of defense costs for the U.S. military presence in South Korea. The agreement has been renegotiated several times since its inception in 1991, reflecting the evolving security environment in the region and the changing economic relationship betweenthe two countries.
The 12th SMA negotiations are taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with North Korea continuing to develop its nuclear and missile programs. The United States has a strong military presence in South Korea, which serves as a deterrent to North Korean aggression. However, thecost of maintaining this presence has become a source of friction between the two allies.
The negotiations are also taking place at a time when the U.S.-South Korea alliance is facing new challenges, including the rise of China and the growing influence of other regional powers. The outcome of the negotiations will have a significant impacton the future of the alliance and the security dynamics in Northeast Asia.
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