As Tensions Rise Over Defense Costs, U.S. Walks Out Of Talks With South Korea
The U.S. reportedly is demanding that South Korea pay $5 billion for the coming year. The issue is putting stress not seen in years on the decades-old alliance between the U.S. and South Korea.
In an escalating dispute over how much allies should pay the U.S. to station troops on their soil, U.S. negotiators walked out on talks with South Korea in Seoul on Tuesday, as the two sides staked out vastly differing positions and accused the other side of being unreasonable.
The Trump administration that Seoul, a key ally, contribute around $5 billion for the coming year to cover the cost of the roughly 28,500 U.S. troops based in South Korea. That's more than five times what South Korea agreed, and Seoul is pushing back hard. South Korean and U.S. officials would not confirm the amount to NPR.
