U.S., South Korea fail to reach deal to share costs for American troops

[TU Curmudgeon]

From United Press International

U.S., South Korea fail to reach deal to share costs for American troops
​

SEOUL, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The United States is seeking to shorten the duration of the defense cost-sharing deal with South Korea from current five years to one year as President Donald Trump pushes U.S. allies to pay more for shared defense spending, South Korean media reported.

The U.S. and South Korea recently held a meeting to renegotiate the ROK-US Special Measure Agreement, a five-year deal that began in 1991 to share defense spending to maintain some 28,500 troops of U.S. Forces Korea.

At the 10th negotiation, the U.S. suggested that the agreement should be renegotiated every year and South Korea should increase its contribution from $848.8 million to $1.2 billion next year.

South Korean and U.S. negotiators failed to reach an agreement in the negotiation, according to Newsis. The current 2014-2018 agreement expires at the end of this month.

COMMENT:-

This seems to imply that we can look forward to an announcement that Mr. Trump has won the Korean War and that He is now going to bring His troops home for Independence Day.

I mean, if the Koreans don't want to pay for the cooks, cleaners, and gardeners that work on American bases in Korea why should Americans have to pay to defend Korea - right?
​

 

[TheParser]

It's about time that an American president demanded that our "friends" pay a bigger share of their own defense.

Our "friends" in Asia and Europe have been taking advantage of us long enough.

During the campaign, Mr. Trump said that he wanted to do what was best for our country, not necessarily for other countries.

People are shocked and absolutely deranged that he is actually trying to keep his promises!


I hope that he plays hardball with our Korean "friends."

 

[Saladin4]

It's about time that an American president demanded that our "friends" pay a bigger share of their own defense.

Our "friends" in Asia and Europe have been taking advantage of us long enough.

During the campaign, Mr. Trump said that he wanted to do what was best for our country, not necessarily for other countries.

People are shocked and absolutely deranged that he is actually trying to keep his promises!


I hope that he plays hardball with our Korean "friends."

Most Koreans and Many Japanese (the entire island of Okinawa) would love to see the US Military get out...Not needed or wanted.....That's what our "friends" think

 

[Airyaman]

I say pull them. Let's not play with this thing, just rip the bandaid off. See if Trump's proposals will work.

Maybe this country needs a wake-up call.

 

[Higgins86]

Most Koreans and Many Japanese (the entire island of Okinawa) would love to see the US Military get out...Not needed or wanted.....That's what our "friends" think

Many countries see the US as either an hegemony or even an occupying force. No point debating it on here though because a good chunk of American posters still believe the " Team America World Police" narrative.

 

[washunut]

Most Koreans and Many Japanese (the entire island of Okinawa) would love to see the US Military get out...Not needed or wanted.....That's what our "friends" think

Here is one vote to give them what they want. Why have 28K of our kids in harms way in Korea. Same with Japan. At the same time we could pull the Pacific fleet back to Hawaii.

Ironically if Trump did this you,CNN and MSNBC would scream he is an isolationist.

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

Here is one vote to give them what they want. Why have 28K of our kids in harms way in Korea. Same with Japan. At the same time we could pull the Pacific fleet back to Hawaii.

Ironically if Trump did this you,CNN and MSNBC would scream he is an isolationist.

Which would be an acknowledgement of reality.

 

[washunut]

Which would be an acknowledgement of reality.

No it would be giving the people of those nations what they want. If Canada wants to send a fleet to protect shipping lanes in the Pacific have at it.

 

[Saladin4]

Here is one vote to give them what they want. Why have 28K of our kids in harms way in Korea. Same with Japan. At the same time we could pull the Pacific fleet back to Hawaii.

Ironically if Trump did this you,CNN and MSNBC would scream he is an isolationist.

Not necessarily...If he conducted it in an open coordinated process...I know the locals in Japan and South Korea would approve...Ultimately their opinion is what matters most

 

[washunut]

Not necessarily...If he conducted it in an open coordinated process...I know the locals in Japan and South Korea would approve...Ultimately their opinion is what matters most

So we are in agreement. Give both governments a year notice then leave. Gives the military to time to close things down properly.

We should poll other countries in the world. For example if the people of Germany are tired of occupation I would be in favor of leaving there as well along with most of NATO countries.

 

[Saladin4]

So we are in agreement. Give both governments a year notice then leave. Gives the military to time to close things down properly.

We should poll other countries in the world. For example if the people of Germany are tired of occupation I would be in favor of leaving there as well along with most of NATO countries.

Yeah,,,Saves money....Many NATO countries will continue to support US Forces....And will contribute to NATO, some may not..1 year might work...At least a start....The Korean War is over...Bring the troops home

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

No it would be giving the people of those nations what they want. If Canada wants to send a fleet to protect shipping lanes in the Pacific have at it.

Sorry, I didn't express myself clearly enough.

The reality that was being recognized would be that Mr. Trump is an isolationist.

 

[DaveFagan]

It's about time that an American president demanded that our "friends" pay a bigger share of their own defense.

Our "friends" in Asia and Europe have been taking advantage of us long enough.

During the campaign, Mr. Trump said that he wanted to do what was best for our country, not necessarily for other countries.

People are shocked and absolutely deranged that he is actually trying to keep his promises!


I hope that he plays hardball with our Korean "friends."

Paradigm: You contend that S Korea needs of military for defense. The reality is the Unilateral mindset thinking USA wants the military forward basing against China. The USA military and weapons make SKorea a target for China like US missiles make Europe a target for Russia. The USA should pay big rent to maintain this Forwrad Operating Base, SKorea, and I'm certain Skorea and Park are well aware of this fact. So, who's gonna play hardball in the Real World?
/

 

[Tigerace117]

Many countries see the US as either an hegemony or even an occupying force. No point debating it on here though because a good chunk of American posters still believe the " Team America World Police" narrative.

Up until the minute the next door neighbor starts eyeing their turf and then the hysterical screeching for the Americans to come to the rescue kicks in.

 

[Tigerace117]

Here is one vote to give them what they want. Why have 28K of our kids in harms way in Korea. Same with Japan. At the same time we could pull the Pacific fleet back to Hawaii.

Ironically if Trump did this you,CNN and MSNBC would scream he is an isolationist.

Why, exactly should we abandon a long time ally and friend--- one who lost plenty of troops fighting in America's wars over the years?

 

[Tigerace117]

Not necessarily...If he conducted it in an open coordinated process...I know the locals in Japan and South Korea would approve...Ultimately their opinion is what matters most

And how exactly do you "know" this?

 

[Higgins86]

Up until the minute the next door neighbor starts eyeing their turf and then the hysterical screeching for the Americans to come to the rescue kicks in.

Everyone is holding their breath...

 

[Tigerace117]

Everyone is holding their breath...

For......?

 

[washunut]

Why, exactly should we abandon a long time ally and friend--- one who lost plenty of troops fighting in America's wars over the years?

If they want us out we need to listen.

 

[Saladin4]

And how exactly do you "know" this?

Having traveled to Korea numerous times , most Koreans under 40 do not want the US Military on their soil.....Most Japanese the same, Okinawan's have protested for years against the US bases there...Time to bring them home

 

[Gaugingcatenate]

Which would be an acknowledgement of reality.

So be honest, plain and painfully specific here, Cur...

Are you for "the United States of America" to be out there at our own expense, blood and treasure, in "the name of capitalist freedom" as you put it in another thread denigrating the nation that protects your Canadian butts, as well as defending the rest of the free world...

Or not? Cannot have it both ways, bro.

 

[Saladin4]

So be honest, plain and painfully specific here, Cur...

Are you for "the United States of America" to be out there at our own expense, blood and treasure, in "the name of capitalist freedom" as you put it in another thread denigrating the nation that protects your Canadian butts, as well as defending the rest of the free world...

Or not? Cannot have it both ways, bro.

Canadians are America's closets Ally......The mutual defense is much appreciated...Canada also tends not invade other countries over false information (Iraq) or failed doctrines (Vietnam) or just made up Non sense (Grenada and Panama)...So there is that

 

[digsbe]

The US should be throwing full support behind SK in light of the NK conflict. It's foolish to demand them pay more at a time of potential military conflict

 

[Tigerace117]

If they want us out we need to listen.

That's a rather big "if".

And there's no real evidence to back it up.

 

[Tigerace117]

Having traveled to Korea numerous times , most Koreans under 40 do not want the US Military on their soil.....Most Japanese the same, Okinawan's have protested for years against the US bases there...Time to bring them home

Oh really? How many Koreans under forty did you talk to? There's an absolute ****-ton of people in South Korea. Talking to a handful does not qualify you to declare what "most Koreans" want any more than talking to a waiting room full of people in Chicago would let one figure out what "most Americans want".

The same thing applies to Japan. How many Japanese people have you actually talked to?

There have been plenty of protests all over the place over the past fifty years of so, but when push comes to shove the protestors seem to find out that they don't actually have the support of the people.....and thus the bases stay.