The United States' Continued Pressure on 'Unpaid Leave for South Korean USFK Workers'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The United States Forces Korea (USFK) has given Korean workers employed by USFK a 30-day advance notice of potential unpaid leave. This move is being analyzed as a pressure tactic in the defense cost-sharing negotiations, drawing criticism that the US is holding Korean employees 'hostage' to gain an advantage in the talks.

On the 28th, USFK stated in a press release, "The defense cost-sharing agreement has not been concluded, and the gap in the agreement continues," adding, "We have begun issuing 30-day advance notices to Korean workers regarding unpaid leave that could take effect from April 1."

USFK explained that, according to US law, it is providing one month’s advance notice to 9,000 Korean workers about unpaid leave. Although the US Department of Defense announced a decision to support the salaries of Korean workers engaged in key USFK operations, the advance notice was issued to all Korean workers.

General Robert Abrams, Commander of USFK, said, "We highly appreciate our Korean staff and their contributions to the ROK-US alliance," adding, "They are our employees, colleagues, and team members, absolutely essential to our mission." He continued, "We have explored all options within our authority to delay the potential unpaid leave caused by the absence of a defense cost-sharing agreement," and stated, "We will continue to seek alternatives both before and during the unpaid leave period."

Last year, on October 1, USFK gave the Korean Workers’ Union a six-month advance notice of potential unpaid leave. On the 29th of last month, a 60-day advance notice of potential unpaid leave was also issued.

Meanwhile, on the 24th (local time), Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo proposed to the US that "wages for Korean workers employed by USFK be settled first" amid delays in the ROK-US defense cost-sharing negotiations. Minister Jeong suggested a phased approach to the US side, proposing that even if the overall defense cost-sharing talks are delayed, the issue of Korean workers’ wages be separated and resolved first.

Minister Jeong’s proposal for phased negotiations is analyzed as being motivated by concerns over the livelihood of Korean workers and the potential negative impact that unpaid leave for Korean workers could have on the ROK-US readiness posture. Although defense cost-sharing negotiations have previously exceeded deadlines, unpaid leave for Korean workers employed by USFK has never been implemented before.