Seoul: South Korea should take a prudent and guarded approach in its negotiations with the Trump administration over his proposed "package deal" on tariffs and security issues, as it would be better not to hastily respond to such talks under Seoul's current acting leadership, experts said Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, experts emphasized the necessity for South Korea to carefully evaluate what it can offer to the United States and what it can secure in return, such as a stronger U.S. security commitment. This comes in the wake of Trump's announcement of a 90-day pause on "reciprocal" tariffs affecting South Korea and others. Trump indicated that his administration might include other security and non-tariff issues in the negotiations, suggesting a potential reduction of American troops abroad, including in South Korea, as a negotiation strategy.
His comments have fueled speculation that Washington might consider revisiting the defense cost-sharing agreement as part of the tariff discussions with Seoul. Yang Uk, a research fellow at the Asan Institute of Policy Studies, highlighted the importance of understanding U.S. intentions and preparing strategically for the future. He noted that Trump's tariff strategy might offer South Korea an opportunity to secure more significant security commitments from the U.S. to counter North Korea's military threats.
Yang suggested that South Korea could request, for instance, the redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear assets to the Korean Peninsula as a deterrent against North Korea's nuclear threats, which have reached unprecedented levels. Trump's remarks followed his first phone conversation with acting President Han Duck-soo, during which they discussed Seoul's financial contribution to U.S. military protection and the potential scope of a bilateral deal that extends beyond trade and tariffs.
Some experts argue that South Korea might need to consider accepting a higher share of defense costs if the Trump administration seeks to renegotiate the finalized agreement. In October, Seoul and Washington agreed on the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), which stipulates that South Korea will pay 1.52 trillion won (US$1.03 billion) next year for the stationing of the 28,500 U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), an increase from 1.4 trillion won this year.
Trump has previously described South Korea as a "money machine" and suggested during his presidential campaign that the country should contribute more to its defense. With the issues of cost-sharing and troop presence becoming more prominent under Trump's leadership, South Korea finds itself in a precarious position. Yang noted that Trump's unpredictability, while challenging, might also offer an opportunity for South Korea to negotiate a stronger security arrangement.
While South Korea has shown interest in discussing economic cooperation, such as shipbuilding and potential involvement in the U.S.'s planned Alaska liquefied natural gas pipeline project, it maintains that the defense cost-sharing agreement is settled and separate from tariff negotiations. Jo Bee-yun, a research fellow at the Sejong Institute, advised delaying discussions on defense cost-sharing until a new government is in place, as policy shifts could lead to new complications.
South Korea is set to hold an early presidential election on June 3, following the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his attempted imposition of martial law. Jo suggested that the new government could emphasize the strategic importance of American troops in South Korea in deterring China's regional assertiveness, particularly in the Taiwan Strait.
The foreign ministry reiterated that South Korea has consistently supported a stable USFK presence through "steady increases" in defense cost-sharing. It expressed its intention to continue enhancing these efforts and to engage in dialogue and cooperation with the U.S. side.