South Korea Weighs US Request to Raise Defense Spending Amid NATO Pressure

The Trump administration is urging South Korea and other Asian allies to increase their defense spending to levels comparable with NATO members, who have recently agreed to raise their budgets to 5% of GDP. South Korea, which already allocates around 2.3% of its GDP to defense—the highest among major US allies—is engaged in ongoing discussions with the US about this demand. South Korean officials emphasize that defense spending decisions are a matter of national sovereignty, taking into account internal and external security conditions, particularly the threat from North Korea. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has stated that if European NATO allies can meet the spending target, Asia-Pacific allies should be able to follow suit, though specifics remain subject to President Trump's decisions. South Korea is also cautious about potential links between defense spending increases and broader trade negotiations, preparing countermeasures amid concerns about tariff threats and US troop reductions. While the US pushes for higher contributions, South Korea continues to host approximately 28,500 US troops as part of their longstanding security arrangement.