Trump Proposes US Land Ownership for Military Bases in South Korea

During a summit at the White House, President Donald Trump proposed that the United States should seek ownership of the land under its military bases in South Korea instead of continuing the current lease arrangement, a suggestion that unsettled officials in Seoul and raised concerns about potential complications to the U.S.-South Korea alliance. Trump emphasized that the U.S. has invested heavily in building these bases and questioned why ownership should not be secured, which challenges the existing Status of Forces Agreement that affirms South Korean sovereignty over the land. Alongside this, the two leaders announced significant economic cooperation, including multibillion-dollar investments and major purchases such as Korean Air's $50 billion order of Boeing aircraft, complementing a July trade deal that lowered U.S. tariffs on South Korean exports. President Trump also confirmed that South Korea would adhere to the tariff deal despite earlier lobbying by President Lee Jae-myung for changes, and both expressed optimism about advancing peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, with Trump hoping to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again. The summit highlighted a mix of military, economic, and diplomatic efforts aimed at strengthening the bilateral relationship while reflecting President Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy and alliance management.