A statement from US Forces Korea says the recently concluded talks on the funding needed to sustain maintenance and transformation of US forces in South Korea puts Seoul’s 2007-2008 contribution at $789 million and “represents less than 15 percent of total annual US expenditures.” It noted that the 2007 level will “meet less than 41 percent of USFK non-personnel stationing costs.” According to the statement, USFK commander, Army Gen. B.B. Bell believes the 2007 funding level “does not meet the expectations of the United States on equitable burden sharing, not US Forces Korea requirements.” He plans to present recommendations to the Administration as how to best “adjust to this funding shortfall.”
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
