S. Korea, U.S. kick off 3rd round of defense cost-sharing negotiations

WASHINGTON, South Korea and the United States began their third round of negotiations in Washington on Monday to determine Seoul's share of the cost for stationing the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). Seoul's chief negotiator, Lee Tae-woo, and Linda Specht, U.S. lead negotiator for security agreements at the State Department, are leading the three-day negotiations over a cost-sharing deal, called the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), as the current six-year SMA is set to expire at the end of next year. Seoul has stressed it is seeking to share the cost at a "reasonable" level for the "stable" stationing of the American troops, while Washington has said it is pursuing a "mutually acceptable" agreement that advances the allies' shared security. The two sides launched the negotiations in April apparently earlier than usual amid speculation that should former President Donald Trump return to the White House, he could call for a hefty increase in Seoul's share of the cost for the upkeep of USFK in a way that could cause tension in the alliance. Since 1991, Seoul has partially shared the cost for Korean USFK workers; the construction of military installations, such as barracks, as well as training, educational, operational and communications facilities; and other logistical support. Source: Yonhap News Agency