U.S.-South Korea Defense Ministers Meeting Confrontation over U.S. Forces in South Korea stationing expenses continued February 25 at 11:24
U.S. Secretary of Defense Esper met with South Korean defense minister Jeon Kyung-doo and urged him to increase the burden on the U.S. military over expenditure on the U.S. military. The conflict continues.
US Secretary of Defense Esper and South Korean Defense Minister Jeon Kyung-doo held a press conference after a meeting at the Pentagon near Washington on the 24th.
"The burden of defense must not be unbalanced for U.S. taxpayers. Calling on allies to increase the burden is a top priority for the United States," Esper said in a statement. We urged to increase the burden.
In response, South Korean defense minister Chung emphasized, "It is clear that there is a difference in perceptions from the massive increase demanded by the United States." The conflict has once again been highlighted.
Negotiations between the U.S. and South Korean governments over this issue have been difficult, and U.S. forces stationed in South Korea have reported that they may leave Koreans working at bases and other facilities in April.
Secretary Esper also said in a press conference on the day that "we are expecting an agreement by the end of March. If we cannot agree, we will take Koreans off work," urging the Korean side to make concessions.