Usfk Cost-sharing Talks Enter 6th Round

Representatives of Korea and the United States met Wednesday in Seoul for the sixth round of negotiations on how to share the costs of funding the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) for the upcoming five years.

The two-day talks ― the Special Measure Agreement (SMA) meeting ― pitted Hwang Joon-kook, Korea’s top negotiator, against his U.S. counterpart Eric John.

Through the previous five negotiations, the two sides remained apart over Seoul’s financial contribution to keeping American troops on the Korean Peninsula.

However, with the deadline of the latest five-year SMA set for the end of the year fast approaching, hammering out an immediate deal is imperative, in order to avoid any potential prevent any potential hiccups with the USFK.

Since 1991, South Korea has partially borne the cost of stationing U.S. troops under the SMA for Korean civilians hired by the USFK; the construction of military facilities to maintain the allies’ readiness; the combined defense improvement project; and other logistical support.

At issue in the latest talks are what is considered to be an appropriate share and ways to improve the overall system to prevent the misuse of funds contributed by Korea.

Especially, the Korean government has made efforts in the latter, but to no avail.

According to Defense Ministry data, the...