WASHINGTON/SEOUL, 8 March, 2021 (TON): On Sunday the State Department said under an agreement between the U.S. and South Korea, South Korea will increase its contribution cost of U.S. forces stationed in the country.

A State Department spokeswoman said, “The agreement reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to reinvigorating and modernizing our democratic alliances around the world to advance our shared security and prosperity.”

As the Special Measures Agreement between the two sides as the previous arrangement expired in 2019, the spokeswoman said, “The agreement included a negotiated meaningful increase in host nation support contributions,” but gave no further details.

The spokeswoman added that there are about 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against North Korea. More than 90% of Seoul’s contributions under the previous agreement went directly back into the South Korean economy.

Presently, it remains clear that Seoul currently pays Washington about $920 million a year, however, the deal is yet to be approved by the South Korean legislature.