Special Measures Agreement: Understanding South Korea`s Cost-sharing Agreement with the US
The Special Measures Agreement (SMA) between South Korea and the United States is a cost-sharing agreement that determines the amount of money South Korea pays to support the presence of US troops in the country. The agreement is crucial in maintaining the presence of US forces in South Korea, which serves as a deterrence against North Korea’s military threats.
The current SMA was signed in February 2019 and covers the period from 2019 to 2023. The agreement calls for South Korea to increase its contribution by 8.2% from the previous agreement, which covered the period from 2014 to 2018. Under the new agreement, South Korea is expected to contribute $920 million annually to support the US military presence in the country.
The SMA has been a contentious issue in South Korea, with some politicians and activists calling for a revision of the agreement. Some argue that the US is not paying its fair share, while others argue that the cost-sharing agreement should be scrapped entirely.
However, the South Korean government has continuously emphasized the importance of the SMA in maintaining stability and security in the region. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, „The government underscores the importance of the SMA for the maintenance of the US Forces Korea and the security of the Korean peninsula and the region, and will continue to make efforts to successfully conclude the negotiations.“
The SMA negotiations have been ongoing since March 2019, with both countries struggling to reach a compromise. The talks were originally scheduled to conclude in September 2019 but were extended multiple times due to disagreements over the amount of South Korea`s contribution.
The negotiations were further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced both sides to hold virtual talks. Despite the challenges, both countries were able to reach an agreement in March 2021, which was later signed in March 2021.
In conclusion, the Special Measures Agreement between South Korea and the United States plays a crucial role in maintaining stability and security in the region. Though it has been a contentious issue, both countries have been able to negotiate a new agreement that ensures the continuation of the US military presence in South Korea. As the threat of North Korea`s military ambitions looms, the importance of the SMA cannot be overstated.
