Trump Foreign and Security Advisor: "South Korea's Defense Budget Should Increase to Up to 3.5% of GDP"

Former National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien
"Korea should raise defense spending from 2.5% to 3-3.5% of GDP"

Robert O'Brien, former National Security Advisor and foreign policy and security aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump, argued on the 26th (local time) that South Korea should raise its defense spending to up to 3.5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to share the burden of defense costs.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

O'Brien made this statement during a discussion held by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in Washington D.C. on the theme of "China's Comprehensive Threat to U.S. Security," saying, "South Korea's defense spending is 2.5% of GDP."

He added, "They need to raise this figure to 3% or 3.5% of GDP, like the U.S., so that we can share the burden," and said, "Japan has significantly increased its defense spending."

In Japan's case, defense spending had been kept below 1% of GDP to prevent rearmament, but it expanded to 1.2% last year.

O'Brien also emphasized the need to enhance the U.S.'s nuclear weapons capabilities.

He claimed, "North Korea and Iran are using many more centrifuges," and "China, Russia, as well as North Korea and Iran's nuclear programs are somewhat ahead of ours." He then stressed, "We need to get back into the nuclear (weapons) game."

Regarding trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, O'Brien said, "I acknowledge the Biden administration's credit for the Camp David meeting among President Yoon Suk-yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and President Biden," but added, "The foundation for this was laid during the Trump administration." He continued, "Even in the difficult situation where then-President Moon Jae-in was not favorable toward Japan, we ensured the alliance was maintained and stayed on track."

He also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China.

He said, "Alliances such as the Quad among India, Australia, the U.S., and Japan; the trilateral alliance among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan; AUKUS with the United Kingdom and Australia; and treaty alliances with Thailand and the Philippines all intimidate China," emphasizing, "When China tries to divide us, if we move together, we can push back and contain China."