Two days of negotiations between the US and South Korea on cost-sharing of the US military presence have ended in failure, and there are no more talks scheduled before the existing deal expires on December 31.
President Trump’s last minute demands for a massive increase could be shaping up to be a huge mistake, as South Korea was already paying more than most nations do for US troops, and had agreed to a more modest increase. Getting from $800 million per year to around $1 billion per year was one thing, but Trump’s zero-hero demand for $5 billion per year angered many in South Korea.
The US didn’t do a good job of justifying this unprecedented increase, either, with administration officials arguing that South Korea is rich and therefore could afford it. With South Korea working on improved military ties with China and making peace overtures to North Korea, however, it isn’t clear that what they could afford is even necessary.
South Korea says that work will continue on a fair and reasonable agreement, while US officials have refused all comment. This once again gives the impression that the US is intractable on the matter, which is driving a lot of popular opposition in South Korea.
If I were they I would offer zero, since apparently pulling numbers out of your ass is what passes for though these days.
South Korea would gladly pay parasite USA $5billion to leave Korea and never return.
Japan paid the US $6bn to partially withdraw from Okinawa to Guam.
Announce a 4 year step-down withdrawal,
25% of US troops leave annually,
forcing the Nk and SK to adjust and prepare for their own future.
No “talks” needed, adios!
Now we will see if Trump was trying to price us out of the market so we could leave like some of his supporters have suggested. For some reason I’m skeptical.
It might end up that way regardless of the design. I always say that Trump isn’t an Isolationist, he’s just a really, really, really sh*tty Imperialist. Either way, the end results are somewhat similar.
Incompetence and late empire excess leading to possible change. I love it.
Trump is a change agent, for good and bad.
Just kick them all OUT, and begin working for peace.
The only thing that would suffer in S. Korea with the removal of US troops, would be the drug, prostitution, alcohol, and golfing “industries.”
And after almost 3 years of the Trump administration N. Korea has improved nuclear capability. In November of 2020 it will be even better.
“Intractable US” position defines the talks with North Korea too, and thus creates the “threat” the US wants the South to pay it for. The South Koreans have much about which to be offended.
By what logic and reason should the US taxpayer pay for another countries security? Pull the troops out, bring them home and let that region work on their own issues.
Pull out and come home!!! Make a move Prez! Time for action instead of talk.
Soon US instigated riots will start.
The USA keeps “defending” itself and others from designated enemies that it has turned into worse enemies. South Korea sensibly wants to negotiate with the North, not attack or be attacked. Same with Russia and Ukraine. The USA exacerbates any disagreements and seems to think it can solve any problem by force and sanctions. We can see the “success” of US militarism in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and recently when they “helped defend” Saudi Arabia from the Houthis!! Take the troops home and spend money on the parts of the US population that are not the super-rich.
When Korea was divided it was supposed to be on a temporary basis, we refused to leave as we agreed to and that is largely why the so called Korean War happened, it might be time for us to honor our word after all these years.
The South Koreans obviously can’t see a good bargain – pay outrageously for a bunch of immature men to come to their country to blow stuff up, tear up their countryside, and turn their daughters into whores, How would Americans treat such an offer?
I think that these demands of higher pay are driven by our budget deficit. Make NATO and S. Korea reduce our bloated defense budget.
The demand made of North Korea would come to about 1/10th of 1% of the current US “budget” (an actual budget hasn’t been passed in a decade, but “continuing resolutions” substitute for one) and a fraction of a percent of the current deficit.