South Korean media: US requests defense spending in South Korea should be raised to 5% of GDP... Mentioning China and North Korean nuclear program as "common sense measures"... South Korean defense spending in 2024 is 2.8% of GDP, approximately 66 trillion KRW. On the 19th, the US Department of Defense requested that Asian allies, including South Korea, raise their defense spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). On the same day, the US Department of Defense issued a statement under the name of spokesman Shawn Parney, stating: "As Secretary of Defense Pete Hegercel mentioned today at the Senate hearing (on the 18th) and at the Shangri-La Dialogue, our European allies are setting new international standards for other allies, especially Asian allies," "in terms of defense spending reaching 5% of GDP." In 2024, South Korea's defense spending will account for 2.8% of GDP, approximately 66 trillion KRW (about RMB 345.1 billion), which would need to increase to over 100 trillion KRW (about RMB 522.9 billion) according to the new standard. Parney stated: "Considering the military capabilities of neighboring countries, North Korea's continuous development of nuclear and missile programs, it is common sense for Asia-Pacific allied nations to increase defense spending at the same level and pace as Europe" with the aim of achieving a more balanced and fair burden-sharing among allies that aligns with both alliance security interests and American national interests. Currently, the US is pressuring NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member states to raise their defense expenditures to 5% of GDP, and now similar requirements have been put forward to Asian allies such as South Korea and Japan. The previous day, Hegercel attended a hearing on the 2026 fiscal year defense budget proposal convened by the Senate Armed Services Committee, stating: "As NATO strives to expand defense spending, we now have new defense expenditure standards for all allies globally, including Asia." On May 31st, he pointed out in his keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that it was unreasonable to demand European defense spending reach 5% of GDP when Asian allies face challenges from neighboring countries and North Korea but spend less on defense. Additionally, the Trump administration plans to make South Korea take on more responsibility for addressing North Korean conventional weapons threats, which may be specifically reflected in the upcoming National Defense Strategy (NDS) as early as August. Parney stated: "This common sense approach is how President Donald Trump handles matters." Observers believe that increasing defense spending could become a core issue in the South Korean-US alliance and bilateral relations. Just as Trump mentioned "one-stop shopping" with former Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo during a phone call in April, it might form a high-order equation combined with ongoing reciprocal tariffs. However, South Korea's defense spending in 2024 accounts for 2.8% of GDP, approximately 66 trillion KRW, which is considered up to standard compared to Europe and other US allies and partners. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby even named South Korea, Israel, Poland, etc., calling them exemplary cases. Source: Chosun Ilbo [Image source: //p3-sign.toutiaoimg.com/tos-cn-i-ezhpy3drpa/2b48f8c3303241b7a6b8f3175fc39362~tplv-obj:600:418.image?_iz=97245&bid=15&from=post&gid=1835446515988743&lk3s=06827d14&x-expires=1758153600&x-signature=3N7iV%2Bc1lkkcajXP%2B5TJo8x0yL4%3D] Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1835446515988743/ Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's views.