U.S., South Korea Negotiate New Deal for Troops

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The United States and South Korea recently reached a new deal that more effectively splits the cost of training troops (photo courtesy AP News).

On March 8, the U.S. and South Korea reached an agreement in principle on a new arrangement on the cost of American troop presence in South Korea. The State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs stated that the new deal includes an increase in Seoul’s share of the cost, through negotiations. Annual training courses also began between the U.S. and South Korean militaries started the same day. United States and South Korean training, in the past, sparked North Korean missile testing and claims of invasion from South Korea. According to Lee Jong-joo, South Korea’s Unification Ministry spokeswoman, the hope is for North Korea to act flexibly and wisely.

The new deal for the cost sharing of American troop presence hopes to strengthen alliances with South Korea. Alliances and negotiations have and continue to be put in place to one day be able to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula.