Allies to seal deal on defense cost sharing

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States will sign an
agreement later this week on Seoul's financial contribution to the stationing of
American troops here, an official said Wednesday.

"Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Kathleen Stephens
will hold the signing ceremony on Thursday afternoon at the ministry's
headquarters in central Seoul," the ministry official said.
Gen. Walter Sharp, head commander of the 28,000 American troops stationed on the
peninsula, also plans to attend the signing, he added.
The new terms of the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) calls for South Korea to
pay 760 billion won (US$571 million) this year. Seoul has committed to increasing
its share each year until 2013 in accordance with the consumer price index.
South Korea's Cabinet approved the pact earlier this month before seeking
ratification by the National Assembly, which will likely pass the deal in
February.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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