WASHINGTON — Officials from South Korea and the United States are scheduled to meet in Washington next week for the sixth round of negotiations focusing on Seoul's financial contribution to the presence of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
According to Yonhap News Agency, the U.S. lead negotiator for security agreements at the State Department, the talks will take place from Monday through Wednesday and will involve discussions on the cost-sharing for the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. Seoul's delegation will be led by Lee Tae-woo, a senior diplomat from the foreign ministry.
The negotiations, which started in April, have been initiated earlier than usual this year amidst concerns that former President Donald Trump might demand a significant increase in Seoul's share if he returns to the White House, potentially straining the U.S.-South Korea alliance. Since 1991, Seoul has been sharing the costs for the salaries of Korean USFK workers, military construction projects like barracks, and other logistical support necessary for training, educational, operational, and communications facilities.