First Defense Cost Negotiation Amid Agreement Gap, No Common Ground Found Between South Korea and the U.S... Ambassador Jeong Eun-bo: "No Discussion on Hormuz Deployment"

No Discussions on Alleged Links to Specific Weapons Projects or Inclusion of Defense Ministry Budget
No Significant Changes in US Demands for Rotation and Offshore Training Costs
Defense Cost-Sharing Talks Stalled Amid Agreement Gap; Ambassador Jung Says "Progressing Toward Resolution but Differences Need to Be Addressed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Jeong Eun-bo, the South Korea-US defense cost-sharing negotiation ambassador, stated that during the defense cost negotiations held in the US on the 15th-16th (local time), there was no discussion regarding the dispatch of troops to the Hormuz Strait or the purchase of specific weapons. He reiterated that the negotiations were conducted strictly within the framework of the existing South Korea-US Special Measures Agreement (SMA).

On the 16th (local time), Ambassador Jeong, on his way back to Korea via Dulles International Airport near Washington DC, responded to reporters' questions about whether there had been any discussions related to the US request since last year for the dispatch of South Korean troops to the Hormuz Strait by saying, "No," and added, "There are no discussions except for matters related to alliance contributions and such."

Regarding the previous statement by Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min, who said that significant progress had been made in the defense cost negotiations, Ambassador Jeong said, "New issues always arise during the negotiation process," and emphasized, "What constitutes a significant level can vary depending on the person, so from our standpoint, we are making efforts to reach an agreement as soon as possible to minimize the gap in the agreement."

When asked whether the purchase of US-made weapons was linked to the defense cost negotiations, he dismissed the notion, saying, "We have clearly stated through press clarifications that this is not true," and added, "There are no discussions about specific weapon-related projects or reflecting them in the Ministry of Defense’s project budget." Regarding the possibility of future linkage, he added, "We continuously explain to the US side about weapons purchases and other matters to receive a fair evaluation related to alliance contributions."

There appeared to be no noticeable changes in the demands from the US negotiation team. The US side has insisted that the defense cost-sharing amount should be increased by arguing that additional costs such as rotational deployment and out-of-area training expenses must be borne.

Ambassador Jeong said, "We are moving toward a direction for agreement, but overall, since it must be made at a mutually acceptable level, there is still a need to resolve differences."

This negotiation was the 6th meeting for concluding the 11th Special Measures Agreement (SMA). It was held for the first time amid a gap in the agreement after the 10th SMA expired at the end of last year.