Wi Sunglak After US Visit: "We Pay 1.5 Trillion Won for Defense... Many Direct and Indirect Support Payments"

Returned from the US... "Defense costs must be based on facts"
"We are increasing them in line with international trends"

National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak has returned to Korea after completing his visit to the United States.

Yonhap News

At Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of July 9, Wi responded to reporters' questions about whether the issue of defense cost-sharing for US Forces Korea was discussed, saying, "The topic of defense costs did not come up much," and added, "It is a fact that we are paying 1.5 trillion won for defense costs, so we have to start from that factual basis."

He further stated, "In addition to that, there are many direct and indirect defense support payments we make, and we are also increasing those in line with international trends."

Regarding which US officials he met during his visit, he answered, "I met with Allison Hooker, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, as well as several working-level officials."

Previously, on July 7 (local time), Wi held a meeting with US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C., where they discussed ways to advance the South Korea-US relationship, including high-level exchanges. The Presidential Office later stated in a written briefing, "During this consultation, our side emphasized the need for the two countries to further strengthen the alliance, based on the spirit of the alliance, in ongoing bilateral negotiations, and expressed hope for close cooperation between the two National Security Advisors." The statement continued, "In particular, our side expressed hope to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes on various pending issues through an early summit between the two countries."

The Presidential Office added, "In response, the US side expressed agreement and explained that, although a letter regarding tariffs to major countries including Korea was sent out today, there is still time until the actual imposition of tariffs on August 1. Therefore, both countries hope to communicate closely to reach an agreement before then."

The Presidential Office also reported, "Our side emphasized that the practical diplomacy of our new government is firmly based on the strong South Korea-US alliance. Both sides agreed to continue close cooperation so that the alliance, which has a history of over 70 years, can become even stronger amid a changing security environment."