美 국방 "미군 안정적 주둔 위해 방위비 합의 필요"<br /><br />U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper is pressing for a more "equitable" sharing of costs to keep U.S. troops in South Korea, arguing it would ensure the "stable stationing" of American forces on the peninsula.<br />He made the comments during the Security Consultative Meeting on Wednesday, an annual meeting of the defense ministers of Seoul and Washington.<br />Esper said there needs to be a more equitable means of sharing costs so it doesn't impact American taxpayers unfairly.<br />Esper further hoped the two will agree to a Special Measures Agreement as soon as possible to ensure the stable stationing of U.S. forces in the South.<br />Talks remain deadlocked over how much Seoul should offer for the upkeep of over 28-thousand American troops in the country.<br />
