Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Trump Pressures South Korea to Cover U.S. Troop Costs—Claims They Don’t Pay Enough

Daniel Kim Views  

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has pressured South Korea for two consecutive days to increase its defense cost contributions.

On Wednesday, Trump falsely claimed that South Korea “doesn’t pay” for the 42,000 U.S. troops he said are stationed in the country. He also asserted that he had secured payments from South Korea during his presidency but that negotiations stalled under President Joe Biden. “I told South Korea, I’m sorry, you’re going to have to pay for your military. We have 40,000 troops over there. You’re going to have to pay. You’ve become a very wealthy country,” Trump said.

However, CNN quickly pointed out inaccuracies in Trump’s remarks. According to official figures, the actual number of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea is closer to 27,000, not 42,000. CNN also noted that South Korea agreed to pay more under the Biden administration than during Trump’s first term.

During a discussion in Chicago on Tuesday, Trump referred to South Korea as “a money machine” and claimed that had he won reelection, South Korea would have been paying $10 billion annually for defense costs.

Earlier this month, South Korea and the U.S. agreed to increase Seoul’s defense cost contributions for 2026 by 8.3%, setting the amount at 1.5192 trillion KRW ($1.1 billion). The agreement includes provisions for annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) until 2030. Despite this agreement, Trump’s calls to further raise payments during his campaign rallies suggest that renegotiating these terms could be on the table if he returns to office.

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[LATEST] Latest Stories

  • BMW's Next-Gen EV: The Bold New i3 Touring Concept Revealed
  • LEGO Technic Ferrari SF-24 F1 Car: A 1,361-Piece Tribute to Ferrari’s 2024 F1 Season
  • Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 Just Took the Top Spot in J.D. Power’s EV Ownership Study
  • Jeep’s Recon: The Next-Gen 600HP Electric SUV Ready to Tackle the Market
  • Tesla Issues Recall for 376,000 Vehicles Due to Steering Assist Malfunction
  • Ferrari Reveals 499P Livery and Driver Lineup for 2025 World Endurance Championship

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Eli Lilly Moves First in India, Beats Novo in Obesity Drug Showdown

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Trump’s Soda Button and 12-Can Habit: A Recipe for Trouble?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    New FDA-Approved Pill Targets Constant Hunger in Children with PWS

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Too Much Exercise Might Not Help You Live Longer, Says New Study

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Novo Nordisk Just Bought the Next Big Thing in Weight Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Strawberries + Nuts, Salmon & More: The Best Pairings for Your Wellness

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 2
    Truth About Narcolepsy: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Manage It

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 3
    Avoid These 10 Habits to Keep Your Brain in Top Shape

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 4
    Dining Out While Dieting: 10 Healthy Restaurant Meals You Can Enjoy

    LIFESTYLE&nbsp

  • 5
    How Real People Shaped Disney’s Most Beloved Animated Characters

    ENTERTAINMENT&nbsp

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Eli Lilly Moves First in India, Beats Novo in Obesity Drug Showdown

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Trump’s Soda Button and 12-Can Habit: A Recipe for Trouble?

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    New FDA-Approved Pill Targets Constant Hunger in Children with PWS

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Too Much Exercise Might Not Help You Live Longer, Says New Study

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    Novo Nordisk Just Bought the Next Big Thing in Weight Loss

    LIFESTYLE 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Strawberries + Nuts, Salmon & More: The Best Pairings for Your Wellness

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Truth About Narcolepsy: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Manage It

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Avoid These 10 Habits to Keep Your Brain in Top Shape

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 4
    Dining Out While Dieting: 10 Healthy Restaurant Meals You Can Enjoy

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 5
    How Real People Shaped Disney’s Most Beloved Animated Characters

    ENTERTAINMENT