SEOUL: Former US President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by claiming that South Korea should increase its defense cost-sharing payment to $10 billion annually, a significant hike from the current amount, if he wins the upcoming US presidential election. Trump’s comments, which described South Korea as a “money machine,” have provoked strong reactions both domestically and abroad.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during a statement on Tuesday, Trump suggested that the financial burden on the US for supporting US Forces Korea (USFK) is excessive and that South Korea, being wealthy, should contribute substantially more. This assertion comes despite the ongoing Special Measures Agreement (SMA) negotiations where both nations recently agreed on a payment structure extending to 2030. Under the new SMA, South Korea will pay 1.52 trillion won ($1.14 billion) in 2026, an increase from the 1.4 trillion won due this year.
Trump’s claims have not only sparked criticism in South Korea but have also raised concern
s about the potential implications for US-South Korea relations. His remarks seem to reflect a misunderstanding of the current defense cost-sharing framework and the number of US troops stationed in South Korea. He incorrectly stated in a Fox News town hall in Georgia that “we have 42,000 soldiers there. They don’t pay,” whereas in reality, there are 28,500 USFK service members, and South Korea continues to share defense costs under the bilateral SMA.
This is not the first time Trump has made such claims. During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, he frequently suggested that South Korea was taking advantage of the US in military and trade engagements and even threatened to reduce or withdraw USFK, which caused significant unease in the region. His latest statements are seen as part of a broader tactic to appeal to his political base by emphasizing a hardline stance on international trade and defense obligations.
Experts in Seoul are concerned that if Trump is reelected, his administration could pose serious
threats to the stability of the US-South Korea alliance, particularly in terms of defense cost-sharing and free trade agreements. They urge preparation for more distorted assertions from Trump in the lead-up to the November election and to anticipate challenging negotiations thereafter.