South Korea is gearing up for forthcoming negotiations with the United States on defense cost-sharing, with expectations to engage under favorable conditions. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, in an interview, highlighted South Korea's defense spending, which exceeds 2% of its GDP, positioning the country well for the talks.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The negotiations aim to determine Seoul's financial contribution to the maintenance of the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. This round of negotiations follows previous discussions where the U.S., under former President Donald Trump, sought a significant increase in Seoul's financial burden. The South Korean government aims to ensure the negotiations foster stable USFK stationing conditions and bolster the allies' defense cooperation.
Additionally, Cho addressed the situation of a South Korean national detained in Russia on espionage charges and reiterated the government's stance on the recent return of the Ambassador to Australia, Lee Jong-sup, suggesting his return was for a meeting on defense cooperation amid electoral sensitivities.