Seoul [South Korea], March 5: The US and South Korea are currently racing against time to conclude negotiations and sign an agreement on South Korea's financial contribution to the US continuing to maintain a direct military presence on Korean territory. .
The US sent troops to Korea and stationed them for decades. Also for a long time, because the US and South Korea are each other's strategic military allies - like the US and Japan - the US stationing troops in Korea is considered almost natural.
The issue of Korea having to increase its financial contribution to the US to continue US security protection through maintaining a direct military presence was only raised during the US presidency of Donald Trump (2017 - 2020). Mr. Trump asked South Korea to spend 5 billion USD/year, not just 1 billion USD as it has been doing for a long time, otherwise he would withdraw US troops home. This tactic has also been applied by Mr. Trump to Japan and NATO members in Europe.
The Korean side spent a little more and wisely extended negotiations with the US until the end of Mr. Trump's presidency. Now, as Mr. Trump is competing for the opportunity to return to power after the presidential election in November, the prospect of rekindling old stories with South Korea has also become topical .
South Korea must take early precautions and worry about this scenario; and must take advantage of the goodwill of President Joe Biden's administration to sign a new 6-year agreement. If Korea has a new agreement with the US, it will be difficult for Mr. Trump to change or reverse the past; and the concessions for Mr. Biden's current administration are certainly not as many as those for Mr. Trump's administration if he returns. Such a far away room is both safe and quiet and doesn't cost too much.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper