[정치]Defense expenses have been settled after labor, but the highest rate of increase in 19 years

[앵커]

Although the Korea-US defense cost negotiations, which lasted for a year and a half, were finally concluded, voices of criticism came out as they recorded the highest rate of increase in 19 years.

The ROK and the United States evaluated it as a reasonable and fair share, but after four years, the share of defense expenses is expected to reach 1.5 trillion won.

Let’s go over the details with the reporter. Reporter Kim Do-won!

There was an expectation that the Biden administration would be different from the Trump administration, but the results seem to be criticizing that it is the same. How is it?

[기자]

I have no choice but to think that the influence of former President Trump was that much.

In response to the Trump administration’s demand for a 50% increase, 13.6% of the Korean government endured, saying it was the Maginot line.

It can be understood that it would have been difficult to cut the amount again just because the US administration changed.

However, it is strange that the final agreement has increased 0.3 percentage points from last year’s provisional agreement.

Instead, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that it received counter benefits such as increasing the labor cost payment ratio for Korean workers and raising the joint working group for improvement of the system.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense explained that it did not accept the creation of new contribution items such as readiness required by the US, and there was no maintenance of offshore assets or purchase of strategic weapons.

[앵커]

It is pointed out that it is difficult to understand the linkage of the increase rate of defense expenditures and defense expenditures for the first time?

[기자]

Yes, if you look at the defense cost agreement that was signed as a multi-year contract in the past, the first year was raised by 6-7%, and the remaining period was virtually frozen by reflecting only the inflation rate.

On the other hand, although this is a six-year agreement, it will increase every year in line with the increase in defense spending.

According to the mid-term defense plan, defense spending is expected to increase by 6% every year until 2025, so the share of defense costs in 2025 will reach 1.4 trillion won.

Unfortunately, it is close to the 50% increase that the Trump administration had originally requested to correct when the five-fold increase was not accepted.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that it did not negotiate the amount, but introduced a rate of increase in defense spending as a predictable and reasonable indicator, and the Ministry of Defense also explained that future defense spending is not fixed.

[앵커]

Japan has only raised 1.2% this year, but it is said that it is too much and the amount of non-use of the ante is quite large. How about it?

[기자]

As you said, compared to Japan, the rate of increase of 13.9% seems excessive.

However, Japan’s agreement is for a year, and the multi-year agreement needs to begin negotiations now.

Therefore, it is known that Japan is also watching and watching that the Korea-US defense cost negotiations can serve as the standard for US-Japan negotiations.

It has been steadily pointed out that the US is making interest income by accumulating unused contributions in banks.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this problem has been almost solved by reinforcing the principle of in-kind support for contributions.

It means that the insoluble solution that had accumulated in the past was used up constantly and was exhausted.

He also explained that most of the contributions are paid to Korean workers, logistical support, and Korean companies that participate in the construction of facilities.

[앵커]

What is the US government’s assessment of this agreement?

[기자]

America is very welcoming.

The US State Department said that Korea has made a meaningful contribution and evaluated it as a fair and balanced share.

He added that today’s challenges are a complex environment, and security really costs more.

The United States says the agreement will allow South Korea to pay about 44 percent of the USFK’s stationing costs, excluding American labor costs.

It is argued that it is not excessive, as it was at 40-45% level in the past.

[앵커]

Now, you will have to go through the ratification of the National Assembly. What procedures remain in the future?

[기자]

First of all, there remains a procedure for finalizing and formal signing the agreement.

Prior to the official signing, there is a possibility that the appointment will be made in time for next week’s visit to Korea by the US Secretary of State and Defense of Blincoln and Austin.

After that, it is expected that it will take about a month for the official signature after the state council meeting and the presidential residence.

Next, it will also take about a month to receive approval from the National Assembly.

Although some pointed out that the rate of increase is high, the ruling Democratic Party, the ruling party, evaluated it as an acceptable and reasonable range.

The people’s strength did not give any special response, but it seems difficult to object to the ROK-US alliance, so there is no unreasonable agreement on ratification.

This is YTN Dowon Kim from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.