South Korea Rejects US Troop Cost Demands, Talks End Without Deal
No more talks scheduled before deal expires
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.
Source: Antiwar.com
[…] Reprinted from Source […]
I will depart from the normal anti-America, Anti-Trump dogma and say this.. Is Trump trying to fulfill his promises to disentangle our Military in Foreign policy? If he made an order to leave Korea (smart) he would be impeached again by the peace-loving Faux Liberals.. But making demands of the South Koreans they will not accept may do the trick.
You got the right picture, Texan. IMO he is doing the same trick with NATO but up till now the vassals were in haste to honor his demands in money.
You know that’s why he’s so fun to watch – never know if he’s just dumb as dog shit.
(actually, geemius: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-4HrBuvz70)
“President Trump’s last minute demands for a massive increase could be shaping up to be a huge mistake…”
And can you think of even one little area of Trump’s efforts abroad that cannot be characterized that way?
It’s not a mistake if you want to dismantle the Empire … a worthy goal.
Oh, please, those sentiments have been expressed by True Believers in Trump countless times, like recitations from scripture.
They are simply without foundation and much resemble some Fundamentalist Christians standing on a hillside waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus.
I actually find it hard to believe anyone could sincerely write those words, “dismantle the empire” about a man who has given Israel a whole string of things he had no legal right to give., including Syria’s Golan Heights.
And there he is, “stealing oli” in Syria. That’s also on Israel’s behalf because Israel wants Syria incapacitated for postwar rebuilding.
He also attacked Syria with missiles over a clearly deceitful gas attack.
There he is again on the brink of war with Iran on behalf of Israel.
And he supports violent overthrows in Bolivia and Venezuela of elected governments. He threatens Nicaragua and Cuba again.
He spends money like a drunken sailor on the Pentagon, an institution that, without its role supporting empire, could be a small fraction of its size.
He’s left all those troops in Afghanistan, killing peasants, for three years in one of the most pointless wars in human history. 18-years long. It achieved nothing. He could have removed them all long ago with no losses except American pride.
He’s going to remove a token fraction of them in time for his election campaign. Just a bad joke.
“There are none so blind as those who will not see.”
Well put !
The Jewish part is separate, and oh so special.
Trump pulled Troops out of Syria publicly then snuck them back in ….
Quietly boosting numbers in Saudi Arabia and trying to SNEAK us into a war with Iran for his Jewish Masters.
US i one big Con nation
Talks failed to produce a resolution?
Great!!! Bring our Troops home,and let SK take care of themselves.
At this point why should the U.S. Taxpayer support SK’s defense?
Aren’t they an economic power in their own right? I’m sure getting the U.S. Taxpayers to subsidize SK’s economy has to be a serious boon…
If I was the Prez… I’d pull the Troops in SK out so fast it’d literally create a high wind to the East…
You are turning the tables, Krazy Uncle.
It were the Americans who entered Korea in 1945, remember? And started the Korean War of course under the “blessing hand”of the UN Corp.
As we see thru times with other intervened countries from outside, it ends with division of the land (the Plan), North and South Korea, setting up a hugh military base and populate it with 40/50K military personal. (The Plan)
“To bring Democracy and Keep the Peace”. What a joke.
The reaction of North Korea is the right one by building up its own nuclear defense against the US and the rest of the West. Never trust US Foreign Policy as it has been proven.
IMO the South Korean people are a brave people by opposing the demands of US Foreign Policy (Do not forget this is not cpntrolled by Pres. Trump).
This is heading into the right direction for reunification and long lasting peace for the two families, North and South Korea.
Back to Korea.
Can’t say I really know all that much about the Korean War… my interests run elsewhere.
But, I’m always anti-war, pro-peace and staunchly for bringing the Troops home, and staying away from foreign entanglements.
I’d definitely support reunification… if that’s what the two Korea’s want… I’m sure it’d be a win-win for them and the rest of the world.
But, the U.S. needs to get out and stay out… all the while bringing our troops home from all over the world.
Korea should offer nothing and ask for rent for use of the bases.
The US will pay up. They never leave anywhere voluntarily. The Pentagon suffers from Hotel California syndrome.
might be a great strategy to get the US out of foreign countries.
I have lived in S Korea for over 15 years and have yet to understand the purpose in having U.S. military here.
The conflict between the north and south ended in the 1950’s and 70 yrs later the U.S. still has to enforce the peace!!?? What horses*#@!
I worked for several years with South Korean companies….. as such was frequently there in various areas and cities….. the americunts are not liked very much there….
South Koreans are a very diligent and proud people.. .. this american humiliation on the Koreans in coercing more money from them will be the turning point ending the occupation violently
Bring our troops home?