The United States and South Korea announced a new cost-sharing agreement on Friday that would see South Korea increase the cost of stationing American troops.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that after eight rounds of negotiations, a new five-year special measures agreement was reached with South Korea.
“This agreement is a significant outcome for both sides and will strengthen our alliance and our common defense.” Miller said in a statement:He noted that this is the 12th such agreement signed between the two countries.
The new agreement would increase South Korea's contribution to the U.S. military by 8.3%, with additional increases tied to inflation that would remain at around 2% annually as long as prices continue to rise. This was reported by South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo.
The agreement stipulates that South Korea will begin contributing approximately $1.1 billion in 2026.
Lee Jae-eun, a spokesperson for South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the potential for a surge was curbed by linking contributions to inflation rather than defense budget growth, according to South Korean media reports.
The United States has sent more than 28,000 troops to South Korea, primarily to assist South Korea against North Korean aggression, and the two countries are in a frozen state of conflict separated only by the demilitarized zone. It's in
The new agreement comes as former President Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, is competing for the White House with Democratic candidate Vice President Harris.
President Trump has repeatedly asked South Korea to pay more for the stationing of U.S. troops there, and has also made isolationist statements questioning support for other countries in conflict, such as Ukraine.
