Korea-US Defense Cost-Sharing Negotiation Meeting Held... Continues Until the 27th

The 4th meeting of the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) between South Korea and the United States to determine the defense cost-sharing for the U.S. Forces Korea was held on the 25th at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul.

The meeting, which discussed South Korea's contribution after 2026, started at 9:30 a.m. and reportedly lasted over seven hours, including meals and breaks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the day before the meeting, "The government plans to proceed with consultations under the position that our defense cost-sharing should be conducted at a reasonable level to ensure the stable stationing of U.S. Forces Korea and strengthen the combined defense posture between South Korea and the United States."

Negotiation Team Heading to the 4th Round of South Korea-US Defense Cost-Sharing Talks
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Photo by Kim Seong-min = The negotiation team attending the 4th meeting for the conclusion of the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing between South Korea and the US is entering the Korea Defense Research Institute in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, the meeting venue, on the morning of June 25, 2024.
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After the first meeting held in Hawaii from April 23 to 25, the U.S. and South Korea held the 2nd meeting in Seoul from May 21 to 23, and the 3rd meeting in Washington D.C. from June 10 to 12.

The 4th meeting is being held just 13 days after the conclusion of the 3rd meeting, and the shortening interval between meetings is seen as a sign that the negotiations have entered a full-fledged phase. The 4th meeting will continue for three days until the 27th.

According to an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is expected that broad disagreements have already been adjusted, and the process is now entering detailed negotiations by sector.