South Korea-US defense cost-sharing negotiations: US Deputy Representative visits South Korea… “Expecting good dialogue”

**12th Defense Cost Sharing Special Agreement 2nd Meeting in Seoul on the 21st to 23rd**,
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Linda Specht, Senior Advisor to the US Department of State, speaking in front of reporters
(Incheon=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Dong-joo = Linda Specht, Senior Advisor to the US Department of State, speaks upon arrival at Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 before the 12th ROK-US Special Defense Cost Sharing Agreement (SMA) 2nd meeting… ” readiness@yna.co.kr,
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, ‘ (Seoul·Incheon=Yonhap News) By Hyun Hye-ran Kim Joon-tae = Linda Specht, Senior Advisor to the US Department of State, the chief negotiator for the Defense Cost Sharing Special Agreement (SMA) that South Korea and the US will apply from 2026, visited South Korea on the 18th.’,
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, ‘ Specht, who arrived at Incheon International Airport in the afternoon, met with reporters and said, “SMA negotiations are about the importance of our alliance, the relationship between the two countries, and the support we give each other,” adding, “I look forward to a good dialogue.”‘,
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, ‘ Specht is scheduled to attend the 2nd meeting to conclude the 12th SMA in Seoul from the 21st to the 23rd with officials from the Department of State, Ministry of National Defense, and US Forces Korea.’,
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, ‘ On the Korean side, Lee Tae-woo, the South Korean chief negotiator for the ROK-US Defense Cost Sharing negotiations, will participate in the negotiations with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Defense Acquisition Program Administration.’,
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, ‘ Specht and Lee confirmed each other’s basic positions at the first meeting held in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA from April 23 to 25.’,
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Lee Tae-woo, South Korean chief negotiator for the ROK-US Defense Cost Sharing Special Agreement (SMA)
Yonhap News File Photo. Redistribution and DB Prohibition],
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, ‘In the 2nd meeting held just a month later, a full-scale battle is expected to begin over the size of the sharing amount and calculation criteria.’,
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, ‘ Previously, the US described South Korea’s defense cost sharing as a “strong investment in the ROK-US alliance,” hinting at a possible additional increase.’,
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, ‘ On the other hand, South Korea stated that it would proceed with negotiations under the position that “our defense cost sharing should be conducted at a reasonable level.”‘,
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, ‘ SMA determines the share of costs South Korea will bear in the US Forces stationed in South Korea.’,
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, ‘ South Korea’s sharing amount is used for ▲ personnel expenses (wages for Korean employees of the US Forces) ▲ military construction expenses (construction of facilities within US military bases) ▲ military support expenses (services and material support), among three items.’,
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, ‘ The 11th SMA, concluded by South Korea and the US in 2021, is effective until the end of 2025. The defense cost sharing amount set in the 11th SMA for 2021 was 1.1833 trillion won, a 13.9% increase from the previous year, and it was agreed to increase it each year for the next 4 years reflecting the defense spending increase rate.’,
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, ‘ readiness@yna.co.kr’,
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