Reuters, SEOULSouth Korean and US officials resumed talks yesterday to narrow a US$4 billion gap in how much they want Seoul to pay for the cost of hosting the American military amid public protests of “highway robbery” against sharply increased US demands. US President Donald Trump’s demand that Seoul take on a greater share of the cost of stationing 28,500 US troops as deterrence against North Korea has tested South Korea’s confidence in the security alliance with Washington. Yesterday’s meeting marked the third round of talks for him and the second for South Korean top negotiator Jeong Eun-bo, who was appointed to his post after the first round in September. South Korea “is a wealthy country and could and should pay more,” US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said after his meeting with South Korea’s Minister of Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo last week. South Korea’s Ministry of Defense denied reports on some South Korean YouTube channels that US troops would be withdrawn or reduced.

Source: Taipei Times November 18, 2019 15:56 UTC