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Trump’s re-election chances may make US, South Korea start defense costs talks earlier

The parties reportedly agreed that these negotiations should begin in 2024

SEOUL, January 16. /TASS/. The Republic of Korea and the United States may enter into negotiations on the distribution of costs of keeping the US contingent on the Korean Peninsula two years earlier than planned, as the possibility of Donald Trump winning the US presidential election looms on the horizon, the news agency Yonhap reports, citing diplomatic sources.

The parties reportedly agreed that these negotiations should begin in 2024. As Yonhap writes, such a decision was probably made too forestall Trump’s possible return to the White House. The latter’s frequent demand was the allies increase their share of joint defense spending.

A US military contingent of 28,500 is stationed in the south of the Korean Peninsula. If the agreement is implemented, the discussion will start two years earlier than expected. The current agreement on special measures is due to expire at the end of 2025.

It was concluded in 2021 after "a year and a half of tough haggling over how much Seoul should pay for the stationing of the USFK on its soil," Yonhap notes.

The Donald Trump administration demanded a five-fold increase in funding from Seoul, according to some reports. As a result, the Republic of Korea agreed to increase its payment by 13.9%.

Trump's possible re-election raises concerns that negotiations on a new cost-sharing agreement could become harder, Yonhap points out. Commenting on the possibility of postponing the talks, the Korean Foreign Ministry said "no decision has been made on the specifics." Seoul promised to keep in touch with Washington in preparation for the next agreement.

Former US President Donald Trump won a convincing victory at the end of the Republican Party caucuses in the state of Iowa. Trump received 51% of the votes of Republican Party supporters. The Iowa caucuses, which took place on January 15, actually began the selection of candidates from this party for the presidential elections in the US.

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United States South Korea Donald Trump

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