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Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul should set new bottom line for USFK: expert
Seoul needs to be proactive in setting the new 'baseline' with Washington over the talks involving a possible change in the role of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea stationed here, a Seoul-based military and foreign relations expert said Wednesday. 'South Korean officials and experts' current discussions, in dealing with Washington's talks of strategic flexibility of the USFK, are focused on maintaining the current situation or reacting to the US' moves,' Jo Bee-yun, a research fellow at Sejong Institute said in a report. 'However, Seoul must take a proactive approach (toward the issue) and prevent any radical adjustments to the USFK,' she added. The report comes amid growing speculation that Washington may reduce and reconfigure the USFK to prioritize deterrence of Chinese threats. A May report by the Wall Street Journal indicated that Washington was reviewing wheter to relocate 4,500 troops from South Korea to other areas in the Indo-Pacific region. US President Donald Trump has been also putting pressure on Seoul to sharply increase its spending on national defense or pay more fo the cost of stationing the USFK on the peninsula. He recently took a jab at the latest South Korea-US defense cost-sharing deal, dubbed, the Special Measures Agreement, signed under the previous Joe Biden administration last year, saying falsely that the cost was reduced 'to nothing.' The latest SMA for the 2026-2030 period states that Korea is to pay 1.52 trillion won ($1.11 billion) next year, up from 1.4 trillion won this year. In this regard, Jo pointed out that the gap between the stance on security priorities between Seoul and Washington are growing wider. 'South Korea prioritizes responding to threats from North Korea due to its geopolitical conditions, but the US is attempting to expand the strategic flexibility of the USFK with the focus on deterring threats from China — this has led to a widened gap between stances on security,' she explained. To prevent further security risks, Jo claimed Seoul must first admit the possibility of a USFK troop reduction and set a new baseline that could help maintain the strength of the South Korea-US alliance and Washington's commitment to extended deterrence. Specifically, Seoul would need to propose to Washington about maintaining at least 15,000 troops on the peninsula, as well as the current level of the 'Super Squadron' formation test, an initiative by the US Air Force, to consolidate a larger number of F-16 fighter jets into a single squadron at Osan Air Base. The test is aimed enhancing combat effectiveness. Seoul should also pursue permanent deployment of an F-35A wing, a radar-evading aircraft, to Kunsan Air Base and request Washington to continue to send four-star generals to lead the USFK, she added. Advancing and developing conventional-nuclear integration options, under which South Korea mobilizes its conventional military assets to back America's nuclear operations in a crisis scenario, would be another key step, Jo noted.
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Special counsel questions unification minister in martial law probe
Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team was questioning Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho on Sunday as part of its investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law. Kim was summoned to the special counsel's office inside the Seoul High Prosecutors Office in southern Seoul to be questioned as a witness in the case. The minister was one of five Cabinet members called to the presidential office on Dec. 3, shortly before Yoon declared martial law. He has previously testified that he sought to persuade the then president to refrain from issuing the decree, citing its potential damage to the economy and South Korea-US relations. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
17-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
US expert stresses need for proper preparation against Trump's impromptu trade demands
A US expert stressed the need Wednesday for President Lee Jae Myung to make proper preparation for the possibility that US President Donald Trump could make impromptu demands should the leaders engage in phone talks on US tariffs and other trade issues. Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute and former negotiator of the South Korea-US free trade agreement, made the remarks, warning that absent sufficient preparation, Seoul could wind up with a deal that is counterproductive to its interests. Her remarks came as Seoul has been striving to reach a deal with Washington to avoid the Trump administration's proposed 25 percent "reciprocal" tariffs and other duties on steel, aluminum and automobiles, before Aug. 1 when the reciprocal tariffs would take effect if the two sides fail to reach a deal. "If (the leaders) are talking about closing a deal, I can't emphasize how important proper preparation is because if you get on the phone with our president, he may make new demands," she said in a podcast hosted by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "If your leader is not fully briefed or willing to push back, then you may end up with a deal that is even more counterproductive to your national interests. So my counsel -- not only for Korea, but for any new foreign government -- (is) just make sure that if there is a leader-to-leader call, proper preparation becomes a priority," she added. Cutler went on to say, "Another risk is ...Let's just say you push back, and then Trump could get off the phone and say, 'Well, you know what? That 20 percent tariff wasn't high enough. It's now 40 percent.'" She, however, underlined the importance of a top-level engagement. "From a relationship point of view, there is nothing more important for Korea right now, for its new president to meet with our president," she said. Noting that the new Korean government might face coordination difficulties given its diverse ministries linked to trade affairs, Cutler said that "the clock is not working in Korea's favor right now." In particular, she assumed that while Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has undertaken an internal coordinating role for trade negotiations with the US, it faces more challenges than when the foreign ministry took that role decades ago. "Ministries like the agriculture ministry and others ... They are not just going to do what MOTIE wants," she said. "I think Blue House oversight is really needed here as well if this thing is going to be headed in the right direction," she added, referring to South Korea's presidential office. The expert warned that if too many newly appointed Korean ministers come to Washington, it could hinder trade talks. "That runs a risk as well because if you have too many channels and too many cooks, then it just is harder to corral everything together," she said. Cutler did not rule out the possibility that Seoul and Washington reach a broad-brush "framework" deal before the Aug. 1 deadline. "I think it's like a very heavy lift given the clock, but I don't rule it out," she said, pointing to a range of issues involved in the trade talks between Seoul and Washington. (Yonhap)
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
South Korea aims to regain wartime command from US within Lee's term: Defence Minister nominee
Seoul: South Korea's Defence Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back said on Tuesday the Lee Jae Myung government aims to take back the wartime command of the country's troops from the United States within Lee's five-year term. Ahn made the remarks during a parliamentary confirmation hearing as South Korea seeks to retake it at a time when US President Donald Trump's administration has been urging Seoul and other allies to take on a greater security burden. Retaking wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington was among Lee's campaign pledges. "Through a periodic evaluation between South Korea and the US since 2006, I believe our military has made considerable accomplishments through strenuous efforts," Ahn said, hinting that the South Korean military has made progress in meeting conditions for the transition. Seoul and Washington have been working on the "conditions-based" OPCON transfer. Conditions include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined Korea-US forces, its strike and air defence capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to such a handover. The OPCON transfer was supposed to occur in 2015 but was postponed, as the allies agreed in 2014 to a conditions-based handover -- rather than a timeline-based one -- due to Pyongyang's advancing nuclear and missile threats. Ahn pledged to militarily support the government's push to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and mend strained ties with North Korea. The minister nominee emphasised the importance of leaving doors open for engagement with the North. "While establishing deterrence based on immense military power, a door for dialogue to ease tension and build trust should be left open," Ahn said, vowing to seek "strength-based" and "sustainable" peace. Still, he stated North Korea remains South Korea's "main enemy," and that combined drills between South Korea and the US should continue. "Our main enemy is North Korea, since the North has vigilantly sought to target us since the Korean War," Ahn said. "As a country that is rooted in a South Korea-US combined defence system, drills should take place in any case." Ahn's remarks drew a contrast from Unification Minister nominee Chung Dong-young, who said Monday he does not agree with the view that North Korea is South Korea's main enemy and called for a review of scaling down combined drills. The defence minister nominee also called for a "phased" approach to restoring an inter-Korean military tension reduction pact, saying steps should be carried out "gradually." Ahn, a five-term lawmaker who is the first civilian defence chief to be nominated in 64 years as defence minister, also vowed to rebuild the military into one that is trusted by the people. If appointed, Ahn will succeed former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who stands trial over allegedly playing a key role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition on December 3. "What we should do now is to correct the former administration's mistake over its illegal martial law imposition ... and firmly establish civilian control so the military is not used as a private means for (people in) power," he said, calling for the military to adhere to political neutrality. Ahn noted the military faces an array of challenges, ranging from uncertainties in the global security order and changes in warfare stemming from the development of cutting-edge technology, Yonhap news agency reported. He also mentioned how North Korea's continued nuclear and missile development and deepening strategic alignment among North Korea, China and Russia are ramping up tensions in Northeast Asia. Against such a backdrop, Ahn vowed to strengthen a defence cooperation network based on the South Korea-US alliance and trilateral cooperation, also involving Japan. --IANS int/jk/sd
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
No talks yet on USFK downsizing: FM nominee
South Korea's Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun said Tuesday that Seoul and Washington have yet to hold any discussions on the possibility of withdrawing or downsizing the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea. 'The issues (related to the withdrawal or downsizing of the USFK) weren't discussed at all,' Cho said in a document filed with the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee ahead of his parliamentary confirmation hearing. Cho's remark addresses the reports in recent months that the Donald Trump administration seeks to adjust the role of the USFK to focus on deterring threats from China. Aligned with its goal, the Trump administration has been ramping up its demand that its allies and partners increase defense spending. It added that South Korea and other Asian allies are subject to the new 'global standard' of spending 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization member states recently agreed to raise their defense spending target to 5 percent of GDP from the current 2 percent by 2035. Pointing to Washington's demand and growing pressure against Seoul to shoulder more defense costs in maintaining the USFK on the peninsula, Cho reiterated the Foreign Ministry's stance that the latest South Korea-US defense cost-sharing deal for the 2026-2030 period should be upheld. 'Our government's stance is that the 12th Special Measures Agreement, which was effectively agreed upon and is in effect, is not subject to renegotiation,' Cho said. 'We plan to actively explain to the US about the extensive contribution (that South Korea) has continuously expanded for the alliance, including the cost of maintaining US troops (on the peninsula).' Seoul is to pay 1.52 trillion won ($1.1 billion) next year for the stationing of the USFK here, under the 12th SMA signed with Washington during the previous Joe Biden administration. The figure is up 1.4 trillion won this year. The nominee pledged to advance the decades-old South Korea-US alliance by establishing a joint future-oriented vision as well as pursuing cooperation that would be mutually beneficial. Cho indirectly called the preceding Yoon Suk Yeol administration's North Korea policy, which focused on 'establishing peace through strength,' a failure. 'Technically, no progress was made on resolving the North's nuclear issues, as the North's nuclear and missile capabilities became more advanced with an increase in missile provocations,' the nominee pointed out. Cho said that the Lee Jae Myung administration will deal with the North's nuclear issues by reviving inter-Korean dialogue and building trust with Pyongyang.
