Jeong Eun-bo Going to the US, "Korea-US Defense Cost Sharing Agreement Reached Quickly"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Jeong Eun-bo, the South Korea-US defense cost-sharing negotiation ambassador, who is departing for the United States to attend the Korea-US defense cost-sharing talks, stated on the 4th, "We will complete discussions on the fundamental principles."

Jeong Eun-bo, the Special Representative for the Korea-US Defense Cost-Sharing Negotiations, is departing through Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 4th to attend the 9th meeting for the conclusion of the 11th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing between Korea and the US, held in Washington, USA. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

There is an expectation that the resolution of the defense cost-sharing negotiations, which have been deadlocked for over a year, will serve as a gauge for strengthening the Korea-US alliance.

On the morning of the same day, Ambassador Jeong met with reporters at Incheon International Airport and said, "It is difficult to predict the outcome of the negotiations, and additional face-to-face talks may be necessary, but we will do our best."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the day before that the 9th Korea-US meeting for concluding the 11th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing will be held on the 5th in Washington DC, USA. Ambassador Jeong and Donna Welton, the US State Department's defense cost-sharing negotiation representative, are expected to attend as chief representatives.

Regarding the possibility of announcing the agreement text at this 9th meeting, Ambassador Jeong responded, "Considering domestic procedures, it is unlikely that we will be able to do so."

On details such as the rate of increase, he said, "Since the negotiations are ongoing, it is difficult to disclose specifics."

Jeong Eun-bo, the Special Representative for the Korea-US Defense Cost-Sharing Negotiations, is departing through Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 4th to attend the 9th meeting for the conclusion of the 11th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing between Korea and the US, held in Washington, USA. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

He added, "Since there is considerable consensus overall in the negotiations, I expressed hope for a swift conclusion," emphasizing, "Based on the US side's understanding, we will make final efforts to reach an agreement."

In diplomatic circles, the prevailing view is that the defense cost-sharing negotiations, which have dragged on for over a year, will be effectively concluded at this 9th meeting. The US State Department's statement that they are "very close" to reaching an agreement supports this.

Last March, the two countries tentatively agreed to increase the 2020 contribution by about 13% from the 2019 contribution (1.0389 trillion won), but final agreement was not reached due to then-President Donald Trump's rejection.

However, it is reported that the possibility of reaching a final agreement this time is low due to the time required for technical work such as drafting the text.

The government currently maintains that the 13% increase is the maximum, and the US position is not significantly different. Regarding the agreement period, both sides reportedly agree on a multi-year contract. It appears that both sides have reached a consensus to apply the new agreement starting from 2021, not 2020.

Some analysts suggest that with the defense cost-sharing negotiations effectively entering the final stage, the Korea-US alliance will also be strengthened.

A diplomatic expert said, "Considering the COVID-19 situation, senior State Department officials are neither visiting foreign countries nor receiving foreign visits, so the fact that the two countries are holding face-to-face meetings indicates they are meeting to finalize the matter," and added, "Since the Biden administration values the alliance, there will likely be close consultations on future North Korea policy as well."