Former Trump National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien “Korea has the capability to bear defense burden for its own”,
Former U.S. President Donald Trump attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on the 15th (local time). /Photo=AFP, Yonhap News,
, ‘Former U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, who served under former President Donald Trump, virtually demanded an increase in Korea’s defense budget on the 16th (local time), stating “Korea is a very wealthy nation with the capability to bear the burden of its own defense.” He mentioned the possibility that if former President Trump returns to power, O’Brien could once again serve as National Security Adviser.’,
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, ‘On the issue of Korea’s defense burden sharing, O’Brien told Yonhap News on this day, “Korea has the capability to bear the burden of its defense. I hope they make a bigger contribution. I look forward to good negotiations.” He said, “Korea has become a very wealthy country. What happens in Korea is the biggest economic story. Korea has the money to do whatever is needed.”‘,
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, ‘Recently, in an interview with Time magazine, former President Trump expressed his hope that “Korea will treat us properly” and suggested that if Korea does not actively contribute to defense burden sharing, the U.S. could withdraw its troops from South Korea. Time magazine evaluated this as implying that “if Korea doesn’t pay more money, the U.S. could withdraw its troops from South Korea.” However, O’Brien dismissed such analysis, saying, “That’s all speculation,” and stated, “I expect Korea to take the necessary actions” in defense burden sharing negotiations.’,
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Former U.S. President Donald Trump (left), former National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien. / Photo=AFP,
, ‘Regarding concerns about the U.S.-Korea alliance during the term of former President Trump, O’Brien responded to the criticism by saying, “Former President Trump really likes Korea. During Trump’s presidency, when I was at the White House, we maintained a very good relationship with Korea.” He added, “There were no nuclear tests or ballistic missile tests from North Korea, and tensions were relaxed. Former President Trump knows well what happened in Korea.” He also mentioned, “Former President Trump likes Korean women golfers who dominate the U.S. LPGA.”‘,
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, ‘Earlier, in an interview with Time magazine published on April 30, former President Trump once again hinted that if Korea does not actively contribute more to defense burden sharing, the U.S. could withdraw its troops from South Korea. He said, “We have 40,000 troops (actually 28,500) in a dangerous region. It doesn’t make sense. Why should we defend someone. We are talking about a very wealthy country (Korea). I hope Korea treats us properly.”‘,
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, “During his first term in office in 2019, former President Trump pressured Korea to bear over 5 times more in defense spending, arguing for what was dubbed the ‘cost-sharing theory of defense.’ Consequently, there are observations that if President Trump succeeds in re-election this November, the issue of Korea’s defense spending could resurface. The U.S. and Korea are currently in negotiations for the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing, scheduled to take effect from 2026. However, there are also prospects that the Trump administration, if reinstated, could demand new negotiations rather than adhering to the current negotiations. Under the 11th SMA, the defense cost-sharing for 2021 was set at 1.1833 trillion won.”,
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