Ambassador Jung Eun-bo of the ROK-US defense cost-sharing negotiator said on the 8th local time that South Korea-US negotiating representatives agreed on an increase rate and period, but it is still difficult to disclose it as each person must obtain internal approval.
However, Ambassador Chung said it is highly likely that the two countries will announce the information prior to the US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Korea in mid-month.
Ambassador Chung, who went back home after completing the 4 nights and 5 days visit to the US for negotiations on the 11th Special Agreement on Defense Cost Sharing, met with Yonhap News reporter at Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington DC this morning. “We did our best to negotiate.” I would like to self-praise that the ROK and the United States have reached a reasonable, fair and mutually acceptable agreement.”
Regarding the part that the ROK-US authorities announced the day before that they had reached a’principal agreement’, he explained, “It was expressed in that way in the sense that an agreement was reached between the negotiating representatives, but in the end, they must go through an internal reporting process and be approved and confirmed.”
In fact, regarding the agreed period and the rate of increase, he said, “there was an agreement between the representatives,” he said. “Please understand that we agreed with the US to never comment on specific details before the completion of the internal procedure.”
Regarding the final confirmation and the timing of the transfer, Ambassador Jung said, “It is difficult for me to say that it is decided immediately in terms of very fluidity,” he said. “However, the content can be announced first.”
Regarding this, when asked if the signature will be made when the US Secretary of State and Defense Ministers visit Korea, which is being promoted from the 17th to the 18th, he answered, “It is highly likely to be announced before the visit.”
Regarding the subject of the visit, he said, “I know that this is also a discussion between the two sides.”
Regarding some foreign media reports that South Korea’s mandatory increase in defense expenditures and purchases of certain weapons will be included in the agreement, Ambassador Chung said, “No,” he said. Yes. Except for a stable presence, nothing can be negotiated.”
Earlier, the ROK-US authorities announced that they had reached a principle agreement for the conclusion of the SMA through negotiations for three days on the 5th to 7th.
The two countries will go through an internal reporting procedure and promote external announcements and nominations.
Neither Korea nor the United States revealed specific issues, including how many years of agreements were reached, including the rate of increase.
The U.S. State Department said it included a’significant increase’.
(Photo = Yonhap News)