Overview

• President Trump publicly urged Seoul to sharply increase its contributions for stationing 28,500 U.S. troops and warned of 25% import tariffs starting August 1.
• South Korea’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the 12th Special Measures Agreement, under which Seoul will pay 1.52 trillion won in 2026.
• National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac proposed a “package deal” covering trade, investment, procurement and security and suggested an early summit between Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Trump.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed support for advancing high-level talks after meeting with South Korea’s delegation in Washington.
• Seoul is seeking to anchor defense cost discussions within broader economic negotiations to avert a full renegotiation of the existing pact before tariffs take effect.