eFM News

≡ Trump Demands S. Korea Pay More As Defense Cost-Sharing Talks Continue

[Anchor] U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his demand that Seoul pay more for the cost of stationing American troops in South Korea. Speaking on the sidelines of a NATO summit in London, Trump also hinted at the possibility of reducing the size of U.S. deployment depending on the result of their ongoing defense cost-sharing negotiations. Seoul says the talks are going well. Julie Sohn reports. [Reporter] "It can be debated." That was Trump's answer when asked by reporters Tuesday if it was in the U.S. national security interest to continue to have all 28,500 troops stationed on the Korean Peninsula. [Clip: Trump] "It can be debated. I can go either way. I can make arguments both ways. But I think it's, I do think this. I think if we're going to do it, I think it's, you know, they should burden-share more fairly." Trump then claimed that he got South Korea to pay 500 million dollars more a year during negotiations earlier this year, and that they are starting negotiations for billions of dollars. Trump's comments come as South Korean and U.S. negotiators are holding their fourth round of talks in Washington on renewing the allies' Special Measures Agreement which expires at the end of this year. Seoul's chief negotiator, Jeong Eun-bo brushed off concerns about Trump's latest remarks, interpreting them as being in line with the president's previous stance on their cost-sharing deal. [Clip: Jeong] "U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that South Korea should pay more, so I don't interpret it as a change to the situation." Jeong stressed the possibility of cutting troops was not mentioned at all during the morning session with his American counterpart, James DeHart. He said the negotiations should be done in a rational and fair manner within the framework of the current SMA, adding that the talks are proceeding well. The negotiations are slated to run through Wednesday, local time. Julie Sohn, eFM News.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2019.12.04]

≡ Trump Hints Use Of Military Against N. Korea If Necessary

U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted the United States may use military force against North Korea if necessary. He made such remarks Tuesday, hours after Pyongyang issued a warning that the year-end deadline for denuclearization negotiations is drawing near. Speaking to reporters in London on the sidelines of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization meeting, Trump touted that America has the most powerful military ever and it is by far the most powerful country in the world. He said hopefully they don't have to use the military, but if they have to, they will. He also stressed his close personal relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and expressed hopes Kim will abide by his commitment to dismantle his country's nuclear weapons program, in line with a pledge made at their first summit in Singapore. Earlier in the day, the North's vice minister of foreign affairs, Ri Thae-song, issued a statement urging the U.S. to come up with a new proposal acceptable to Pyongyang on disarmament and sanctions relief. The North has warned it will seek a "new way" if the U.S. fails to show flexibility in its position.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2019.12.04]

≡ Chinese Foreign Minister To Arrive In Seoul For High-Level Talks

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit South Korea for the first time in five years since the two countries clashed over the deployment of a U.S. anti-ballistic missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula. The senior diplomat is scheduled to arrive today at Incheon International Airport around noon. Wang will meet with his South Korean counterpart, Kang Kyung-wha, ahead of a meeting with President Moon Jae-in on Thursday. During his two-day stay, Seoul and Beijing are expected to discuss ways to improve their bilateral relations and address regional and international issues, including North Korea's denuclearization. They may also review potential agenda items for their envisioned trilateral summit with Japan this month. There is speculation that Wang's trip may pave the way for Chinese President Xi Jinping's possible visit to Seoul.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2019.12.04]

≡ S. Korea Raises Travel Alert Level For Venezuela, Other Countries

South Korea has revised its travel advisory for 18 countries. The foreign ministry said on Tuesday the adjustments reflect the latest developments that may affect travelers. Special advisories currently on Caracas and other parts of Venezuela were raised to the "red" alert, the second highest on Seoul's four-phase travel advisory and warning system. This means people should refrain from traveling and should seriously consider leaving the Latin American country, which has recently been plagued by violent riots and anti-government protests. A "blue" travel warning now applies to most parts of Cambodia, alerting people to take caution. Seoul earlier placed some areas in the Southeast Asian country under "yellow" status, calling on people to reconsider their trips due to a spike in crimes. The ministry also changed its advisory levels on Guatemala, South Sudan, Nicaragua, Lebanon, Rwanda, Madagascar, Myanmar, Burundi, Cyprus, Sudan, Uganda, Iran, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan and the Philippines.■ <Photo: Yonhap News>[2019.12.04]