SEOUL, Feb 13 — South Korea's presidential Blue House pushed back today against comments by US President Donald Trump that suggested Seoul had agreed to pay US$500 million (RM2.035 billion) more towards maintaining US troops in the country.
Trump said at a cabinet meeting in Washington on Tuesday Seoul had agreed to pay US$500 million more as part of an agreement sharing the cost of keeping roughly 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea.
“They were paying about US$500 million for US$5 billion worth of protection,” Trump said. “And we have to do better than that. So they've agreed to pay US$500 million more.”
Under the previous agreement — which lapsed amid disagreements in December — South Korea contributed 960 billion won (RM3.47 billion) in 2018.
South Korean and American officials initialled an agreement on Sunday under which Seoul would increase its contribution to just under 1.04 trillion won, an increase of about US$70.3 million.
Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman for the presidential Blue House in Seoul, said when asked about Trump's US$500 million figure that it “shouldn't be taken as a fait accompli.” Kim said the figure had been one of Washington's demands during the negotiations.
The agreement signed on Sunday must still be approved by South Korea's parliament. Kim said it was valid for only one year, with the possibility of an extension for another year if both sides agreed.
“Both sides will consider whether a raise is needed and it's also possible that they would agree to maintain the current level,” Kim said.
The two sides had struggled to reach a breakthrough, despite at least 10 rounds of talks since March, amid Trump's repeated calls for a sharp increase in South Korea's contribution.
Trump said in his cabinet comments yesterday the relationship with South Korea was “great” but that the United States lost “a tremendous amount of money” defending its ally. — Reuters
