Trump: South Korea should pay ‘substantially more’ for defense costs

President Trump said Wednesday that South Korea should pay more money to the United States, arguing Americans pay too much to cover its ally’s defense costs.

Trump also said in the tweet that talks have already begun with South Korea on increasing the $990 million it now pays the U.S. for defense. 

The president said South Korea should pay “substantially more money to the United States” for the country’s help defending it from North Korea. 

{mosads}”South Korea is a very wealthy nation that now feels an obligation to contribute to the military defense provided by the United States of America,” Trump wrote. 

South Korea has agreed to pay substantially more money to the United States in order to defend itself from North Korea. Over the past many decades, the U.S. has been paid very little by South Korea, but last year, at the request of President Trump, South Korea paid $990,000,000..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2019

…Talks have begun to further increase payments to the United States. South Korea is a very wealthy nation that now feels an obligation to contribute to the military defense provided by the United States of America. The relationship between the two countries is a very good one!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 7, 2019

South Korea did not immediately respond to Trump’s remarks, according to Reuters.

Wednesday’s tweet follows a Tuesday missile launch that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly called a “warning” to the U.S. and South Korea over planned joint military exercises. 

Burden sharing between the United States and South Korea is likely to be discussed as Defense Secretary Mike Esper visits the country on Wednesday.

Ellen Mitchell contributed.