티스토리 뷰
| The United States has asked the Korean government to pay at least 6.6 percent and up to 14.5 percent more for the upkeep of U.S. Forces Korea next year.
According to documents distributed by the ruling Grand National Party on Thursday, the U.S. wants Korea to increase its share from the current 42 percent to 50 percent in the long term, and immediately to reflect either last year’s inflation rate of 6.6 percent or the 14.5 percent, average inflation increase rate between 1999 and 2004. The Korean share this year was W741.5 billion (US$1=W1,082). With a 6.6 percent raise, this will grow to W790.4 billion, and with a 14.5 percent hike to W849 billion. Korea is against the proposal, saying it can only manage a raise of 2.5 percent, which is last year’s domestic consumer price growth rate. The two sides have a tough task ahead in the second round of high-level talks on the issue, which resumed Thursday. |