청 "Progress on the Korea-US Defense Cost-Sharing Agreement (SMA) Is a Fact"

Cheong Wa Dae "Negotiations Still Underway" Explanation... No Mention in Korea-US Leaders' Call, but Affects Solidarity Trend

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] A senior official at the Blue House stated on the 1st that regarding the Korea-US Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing, "It is true that there has been progress, but negotiations are still ongoing."

When asked whether the issue of defense cost-sharing was discussed during the Korea-US leaders' phone call, the senior Blue House official explained, "It did not come up in the call, but I have seen reports that the atmosphere of cooperation and solidarity in response to COVID-19 quarantine measures had an influence."

The senior Blue House official conveyed a general stance on the format of the announcement if an agreement is reached, stating, "It seems appropriate to follow past precedents." This implies that the announcement will not take the form of a Blue House press release.