Seoul [South Korea], April 29: Currently, the US deploys more than 28,000 soldiers permanently stationed in South Korea. Reaching a new agreement is necessary for the two countries because the current agreement will expire in 2025. The Korean side needs the new agreement even more than the current administration of US President Joe Biden for two reasons.
The first reason is that the US's direct military presence on Korean territory has played a decisive role in ensuring security for Korea for decades. Seoul takes advantage of America's political, military and security support to deter and deal with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the context that the nominal war has not ended on the Korean peninsula and Pyongyang is pushing Strongly develop nuclear and missile programs. South Korea is forced to have a close and long-term military, defense and security alliance with the United States, of which the agreement with the United States on financial contributions mentioned above is both a fundamental part and an important, even important, contribution. decisive will, on consolidating the foundation for the alliance of the two countries.
The second reason is the possibility that former US President Donald Trump of the Republican Party may return to power in the US after the upcoming presidential election. During his time in power, Mr. Trump was the one who forced the Korean side to accept more financial contributions. Since 2019, the Korean side has had to contribute nearly 14% more than before. The new agreement will help South Korea continue to enlist Mr. Biden if he continues to govern and please Mr. Trump if he returns to power.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper