On April 8, U.S. President Donald Trump informed South Korea’s interim president Han Duck-soo that he plans to consolidate discussions about trade, tariffs, and burden sharing for defense costs into one all-encompassing agreement. He referred to this strategy as "ONE STOP SHOPPING — an elegant and streamlined procedure!"
This unexpected action has cast uncertainty over the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), which was inked with the Biden administration just half a year prior. As a result, they have been compelled to revisit negotiations. Signed in October 2024, this pact details South Korea’s monetary contributions towards maintaining U.S. troop presence until 2030.
Given Trump’s recent tariff move has started to undermine the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA), authorities are concerned that the SMA might suffer a comparable outcome.
Experts suggest that South Korea ought to adopt a comprehensive, strategic stance—providing necessary compromises while ensuring substantial achievements. Given Trump’s desire for quick successes in diplomatic economics, impressive results might hold greater importance than intricate specifics.
A comprehensive agreement from top to bottom would be most effective under Trump," stated Yoon Kang-hyun, a previous deputy foreign minister responsible for economic matters who oversaw talks with the U.S. during Trump’s initial term. "Rather than separating the topics by industry, we require an ambitious bundled accord.
Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun emphasized Seoul's primary focus as maintaining the KORUS FTA. "It is essential for us to sustain this free trade agreement via negotiation," he stated to legislators on April 9 at a parliamentary committee meeting.
Trump’s advocacy for "one-stop shopping" has led some officials in Seoul to contemplate linking defense expense sharing more closely with wider trade and tariff matters. Certain analysts suggest this might involve potentially covering the entire expenditure related to U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.
Trump previously requested a fivefold increase in our financial contribution, however, his true objective is to secure a deal he can present as a victory," explained ex-foreign minister Yu Myung-hwan. "Should South Korea assume full responsibility for costs and receive enhanced U.S. assurances regarding extended deterrence, such as the nuclear shield, this might constitute an acceptable compromise.
Yu added that such a deal could serve as a model for Trump to pressure NATO allies to boost their defense spending.
The ex-foreign minister Song Min-soon supported this view, proposing that South Korea should utilize these discussions to amend its bilateral nuclear accord with the United States.
If Trump presents a chessboard, we'll counter with a Go board," he stated. "We will bear the entire expense for U.S. military presence, and as compensation, secure the authority to process uranium just as Japan does.
Currently, South Korea must consult with the U.S. to enrich uranium beyond 20%, while Japan enjoys more autonomy under its nuclear cooperation agreement with Washington.
Choi Kang, president of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said the renewed negotiations must focus on the alliance’s strategic purpose.
“There’s growing talk in Washington of positioning U.S. Forces Korea as a bulwark against China,” Choi said. “We must make clear their core mission is to defend South Korea.”
He cautioned against concentrating exclusively on costs. "By focusing only on the figures, we might overlook more significant aspects," he stated. "The main point here is strengthening the U.S.-South Korea alliance in Northeast Asia—particularly as regional tensions involving China keep escalating."
Yoon warned that an uncoordinated effort by separate government departments might prove counterproductive.
If each agency handles negotiations individually, we will always end up losing," he stated. "This occurred during Trump's first term when agreements regarding cost-sharing, Iran sanctions, and other issues were consistently overruled by Trump.
In an April 8 interview with CNBC, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that President Trump intends to directly supervise tariff and trade discussions. Additionally, White House press officer Karoline Leavitt mentioned that the administration might incorporate decisions about U.S. military deployments and international assistance into wider-ranging trade conversations, highlighting Trump’s preference for a targeted strategy based on individual countries.
As per the present SMA, South Korea committed in October 2024 to increase its funding for maintaining U.S. forces within its borders by 8.3%, upping it to 1.52 trillion won ($1.13 billion) starting from 2026. This agreement, resulting from eight negotiation sessions, will be valid until 2030.
This figure represents approximately 0.06% of South Korea’s gross domestic product and makes up roughly 40% of the country's non-personnel expenses related to stationing troops; however, certain estimations suggest this contribution could be over 50%. In contrast, Japan is thought to bear close to 70% of these costs.
(서울=diwida.news >) 이상철 기자 = LA 다저스 산하 트리플A 오클라호마시티 코메츠에서 뛰는 김혜성이 시즌 개막 후 처음으로 결장했다. 현지에서는 단순한 휴식 차원이 아니라 메이저리그(MLB) 콜업을 위한 숨 고르기로 내다봤다.
김혜성이 삼천포코미츠에서 활약하고 있으며, 현재까지 삼천포 8게임에 출전하여 타율 0.273(33타수 9안타)을 달성했습니다. 그의 안타 9개 중 절반 이상인 5개는 장타로 구성되며(내야안팎 4개, 삼진아웃 후 도루 성공으로 이룬 3루타 1개), 볼넷 또한 4번 획득하였습니다. 더불어 두 번째 주자나 수비 위치 조정이 필요한 상황에서도 잘 대처하는 모습을 보이며 다재다능함을 입증해냈습니다.
