US, ROK reach new defense cost-sharing deal for troops to counter North Korea



News US, ROK reach new defense cost-sharing deal for troops to counter North Korea Seoul to raise contribution to US forces by 8.3% to $1.13B, a move to bolster alliance ahead of possible Trump return Joon Ha Park October 7, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON U.S. and South Korea military officials announce the details of the 2024 Freedom Shield U.S.-ROK joint exercises on Feb. 28, 2024 \| Image: U.S. Forces Korea via X South Korea and the U.S. struck a new five-year defense cost-sharing agreement on Friday, a move that could frustrate North Korea’s efforts to drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington even if alliance-skeptic Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential election. The 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) is set to run from 2026 to 2030 and will increase South Korea’s contribution to the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) to 1.52 trillion won ($1.13 billion) in 2026, an 8.3% increase from 2025, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry release. South Korea and the U.S. struck a new five-year defense cost-sharing agreement on Friday, a move that could frustrate North Korea’s efforts to drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington even if alliance-skeptic Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential election. The 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) is set to run from 2026 to 2030 and will increase South Korea’s contribution to the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) to 1.52 trillion won ($1.13 billion) in 2026, an 8.3% increase from 2025, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry release. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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US, ROK reach new defense cost-sharing deal for troops to counter North Korea

Seoul to raise contribution to US forces by 8.3% to $1.13B, a move to bolster alliance ahead of possible Trump return

Joon Ha Park October 7, 2024

US, ROK reach new defense cost-sharing deal for troops to counter North Korea

U.S. and South Korea military officials announce the details of the 2024 Freedom Shield U.S.-ROK joint exercises on Feb. 28, 2024 | Image: U.S. Forces Korea via X

South Korea and the U.S. struck a new five-year defense cost-sharing agreement on Friday, a move that could frustrate North Korea’s efforts to drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington even if alliance-skeptic Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential election.

The 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) is set to run from 2026 to 2030 and will increase South Korea’s contribution to the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) to 1.52 trillion won ($1.13 billion) in 2026, an 8.3% increase from 2025, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry release.

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