Esper Says South Korea 'Can, Should' Increase Payment for US Troops Stationed There

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - South Korea has the capability and should pay more for the US military stationed in the country, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

"My view remains that South Korea is a close and trusted ally of ours, but they are another country. They can and should pay more to help for our regional defence and their specific defence", Esper said during a briefing.

According to the official, the State Department is leading the talks with Seoul on the matter.

Defence Secretary Mark Esper on Capitol Hill in Washington

© AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin

The United States and South Korea are negotiating the extension of their cost-sharing deal dubbed Special Measures Agreement (SMA). Under the previous agreement, Seoul paid $870 million, however, the US has demanded that South Korea increase their payment to $5 billion under the new SMA.