Korea JoongAng Daily: South Korea expresses regret over Trump's pressure to increase defense spending

The Korea JoongAng Daily published an editorial on July 10, stating that US President Trump publicly demanded a significant increase in South Korea's defense spending and the cost of maintaining US forces in South Korea. On July 8 local time, Trump said during a cabinet meeting that South Korea's economy has made remarkable progress and earned a large amount of money, but it spends very little on military expenses, (the US) provides free military support. Trump also pressured the South Korean government to bear 10 billion USD (about 13.76 trillion KRW) annually for the cost of maintaining US forces in South Korea. Analysts pointed out that after sending a letter to President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea on the day before the next month's 25% reciprocal tariff, Trump immediately proposed increasing the cost of maintaining US forces in South Korea, intending to handle both the tariff and defense spending issues through a "comprehensive solution."

Under the current circumstances, the US stance of trying to cut its own defense spending is not without reason. However, South Korea made great sacrifices at the front line to resist the expansion of socialism from the former Soviet Union, which cannot be measured in money. Now, North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities have developed to the point where they can threaten the US mainland. In addition, as South Korea borders China and Russia, its geostrategic value has become even more prominent. Nevertheless, it is regrettable that the US, citing the decision of NATO members to raise their defense budgets to 5% of GDP, demands the same from South Korea and exerts unilateral pressure.

Especially worth noting is that the US unilaterally invalidated the agreed-upon 1.5192 trillion KRW for next year between the two countries, solely based on the change of presidents, which will inevitably damage mutual trust between nations. In response, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated yesterday that it will abide by the existing agreement (signed last October) and fulfill its commitments earnestly.

If the US aims to pursue its own industrial interests by increasing South Korea's defense spending and the cost of maintaining US forces in South Korea, it will inevitably lead to public doubts about the US "treating security as a business."

In his first term, Trump once demanded to increase the cost of maintaining US forces in South Korea to five times the original amount and included the issue of military satellites flying over the Korean Peninsula in the "operational support costs." At that time, due to the lack of reasonable basis for the cost increase, he forced the inclusion of related items. In addition, Trump exaggerated the number of US troops stationed in South Korea, which was actually around 28,500, to 45,000, and this statement may have been intentional.

The 10 billion USD mentioned by Trump is more than nine times the current defense spending (1.4301 trillion KRW). The US may still propose some unreasonable new projects in the future. As Kim Sung-rock, head of the National Security Office of South Korea, recently said, "(the situation) may follow international trends." From the perspective of the Republic of Korea-US alliance and the international situation, it is somewhat inevitable to moderately increase defense spending or the cost of maintaining US forces in South Korea. However, South Korea should not be constrained by the US's negotiation strategy of "exorbitant demands followed by price reductions." The South Korean government should carefully review and selectively accept reasonable US proposals, and link the US requirements with tariff negotiations and other issues to maximize the protection of South Korea's national interests.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837391468467209/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.