Trump Wants South Korea to Pay $10 Billion a Year for U.S. Troop Presence

U.S. President Donald Trump wants South Korea to pay $10 billion annually for the presence of U.S. troops in the country.

This statement was made during a press conference at the White House.

Trump criticized Seoul, recalling details of a conversation with the South Korea’s president when he had asked for assistance in the war with Iran but was turned down.

According to him, there are about 39,000 U.S. military personnel in South Korea who are “protecting you from Kim Jong-un” (from North Korea).

After that, Trump questioned whether the U.S. should continue to assist South Korea, given that defending the country costs the U.S. billions of dollars.

Since 1991, South Korea has been reimbursing part of the costs associated with hosting U.S. troops on its territory under the Special Measures Agreement (SMA).

The funds are allocated, in particular, to pay local staff, provide logistical support, and build military infrastructure.

Under the current agreement, South Korea’s contribution in 2026 amounts to ₩1.5192 trillion (approximately $1.1 billion). The agreement provides for an annual adjustment of the contribution based on a set formula.

Donald Trump had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the participation of U.S. forces in joint military exercises with South Korea.

He justified his position by pointing to the high cost of the exercises to the U.S. budget and their provocative nature toward North Korea.

The head of state highlighted the positive state of relations with Kim Jong-un, noting that North Korea had shown restraint and respect during his time in office.

Since it was impossible to cancel the exercises entirely, Trump ordered to significantly reduce their scale and issued a corresponding directive to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.