Promoting incorrect figures...Trump: "South Korea pays too little for defense"

Inflated number of USFK troops compared to reality

Aim to pressure South Korea by linking trade and security

Donald Trump, President of the United States, complicated the South Korean government's calculations by demanding a 'tenfold increase in defense costs' from South Korea during tariff negotiations.

During a cabinet meeting at the White House on the 8th (local time), President Trump referred to South Korea as a wealthy country and said, "South Korea is paying the United States too little." He added, "We rebuilt South Korea and the (U.S. troops) stayed there," and claimed, "I made South Korea pay billions of dollars, but Joe Biden (the former president) canceled that when he came into office." He also demanded an increase in defense costs, stating the size of USFK as "45,000 personnel." In reality, the number of USFK personnel is 28,500. Since his first term, President Trump has demanded a sharp increase in defense costs based on incorrect figures, and the same pattern was seen again on this day.

Some analysts say that President Trump's sudden presentation of the defense bill is related to the situation in which both the United States and South Korea have formed a consensus to hold a summit meeting soon. Doo Jin-ho, Director of the Eurasia Center at the Korea National Strategy Institute, said, "At the Korea-U.S. summit, there is an intention to comprehensively pressure South Korea by linking the increase in defense costs to USFK troop reduction, tariff negotiations, and so on."

Promoting incorrect figures...Trump: "South Korea pays too little for defense" In Washington political circles, it is predicted that South Korea is likely to make considerable concessions on the defense cost issue. A United States official said, "President Trump does not change his perception regarding what he believes he lost," and added, "It is unfortunate for South Korea, but I think they will have to pay more for defense."

So far, the South Korean government has maintained the position that it will honor the defense cost agreements previously concluded between South Korea and the United States. Under the former Biden administration, South Korea decided to increase next year's defense cost share by 8.3% to ₩1,519.2 billion compared to this year. This year's defense cost is about ₩1,400 billion. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, "Our government will faithfully comply with and implement the validly concluded and effective defense cost agreements."

By Donghyun Kim / Washington correspondent: Lee Sang-eun 3code@hankyung.com