South Korea to boost funding for US troops under new accord, says State Department
- There are about 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea
- Joe Biden has vowed to revitalise US alliances after four years of strained relations under Donald Trump
South Korea will increase its contribution to the cost of US forces stationed in the country under an agreement reached with Washington, the State Department said on Sunday, easing an irritant in ties between the two allies.
The agreement reflects the Biden administration’s “commitment to reinvigorating and modernising our democratic alliances around the word to advance our shared security and prosperity,” a State Department spokeswoman said.
The proposed six-year “Special Measures Agreement” will replace the previous arrangement that expired at the end of 2019.
The spokeswoman said the agreement included a “negotiated meaningful increase in host nation support contributions,” but gave no further details. There are about 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea. More than 90 per cent of Seoul’s contributions under the previous agreement went directly back into the South Korean economy, the spokeswoman added.
The deal must still be approved by the South Korean legislature. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry confirmed an agreement in principle in a statement, but offered no specifics.
“Both sides will make a public announcement and hold a tentative signing ceremony after completing internal reporting procedures. The government will resolve to sign an agreement in a swift manner to resolve its vacuum that has lasted more than a year and contribute to strengthening the alliance,” the ministry added.