The arrival of the delegation led by Linda Specht, chief negotiator for security agreements at the US State Department, came as the allies are set to hold a second round of talks to determine how much it will cost Seoul to maintain the 28,500-strong Should be picked up. Yonhap news agency reported that US Forces Korea (USFK).
"This is really about the importance of our alliance, our relationship as two countries and the support we give each other," Speech told reporters upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul.
"I'm looking forward to a good conversation," she said.
Talks will be held in Seoul from Tuesday to Thursday between Specht and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Tae-woo, chief negotiator for Seoul's Foreign Ministry.Seoul and Washington began talks earlier than planned in Hawaii last month, amid concerns that South Korea might want to reach a deal sooner to avoid the risk of facing a tough bargain from the US for two increases in its share. Wants. Former President Donald Trump is re-elected in November.
The two sides negotiated the latest deal, known as the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), as Washington sought to increase Seoul's payments more than fivefold to $5 billion under Trump. .
The talks had reached an impasse, leading to South Koreans working for the U.S. military being placed on temporary leave in the absence of an agreement.
The current 11th SMA was signed soon after the launch of the Joe Bide administration.Under the six-year deal, which was set to expire at the end of 2025, South Korea agreed to increase payments by 13.9 percent from 2019 to $1.03 billion for 2021.
Seoul has called for a new deal at an "appropriate level" to ensure conditions for "the stable status of the USFK and the strengthening of the allies' joint defense posture."
Washington has said it wants to achieve a "fair and equitable" outcome in the talks, as most of Seoul's contribution to the SMA is spent in South Korea's domestic economy, representing a "powerful investment" in the bilateral alliance.
Since 1991, Seoul has partially covered the costs for Korean USF workers under the SMA; Construction of military establishments, such as barracks, a training, educational, operational and communications facilities; and other logistical support.
"This is really about the importance of our alliance, our relationship as two countries and the support we give each other," Speech told reporters upon arriving at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul.
"I'm looking forward to a good conversation," she said.
Talks will be held in Seoul from Tuesday to Thursday between Specht and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Tae-woo, chief negotiator for Seoul's Foreign Ministry.Seoul and Washington began talks earlier than planned in Hawaii last month, amid concerns that South Korea might want to reach a deal sooner to avoid the risk of facing a tough bargain from the US for two increases in its share. Wants. Former President Donald Trump is re-elected in November.
The two sides negotiated the latest deal, known as the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), as Washington sought to increase Seoul's payments more than fivefold to $5 billion under Trump. .
The talks had reached an impasse, leading to South Koreans working for the U.S. military being placed on temporary leave in the absence of an agreement.
The current 11th SMA was signed soon after the launch of the Joe Bide administration.Under the six-year deal, which was set to expire at the end of 2025, South Korea agreed to increase payments by 13.9 percent from 2019 to $1.03 billion for 2021.
Seoul has called for a new deal at an "appropriate level" to ensure conditions for "the stable status of the USFK and the strengthening of the allies' joint defense posture."
Washington has said it wants to achieve a "fair and equitable" outcome in the talks, as most of Seoul's contribution to the SMA is spent in South Korea's domestic economy, representing a "powerful investment" in the bilateral alliance.
Since 1991, Seoul has partially covered the costs for Korean USF workers under the SMA; Construction of military establishments, such as barracks, a training, educational, operational and communications facilities; and other logistical support.
