Former US President Donald Trump has proposed that the United States should take ownership of the land where its military bases are located in South Korea, rather than leasing it from Seoul.
During a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Trump stated that the US has invested heavily in infrastructure there and maintains over 40,000 troops, yet the land remains leased. He expressed interest in transitioning the lease to full ownership, although he did not specify which base he was referring to. Trump also mentioned that President Biden had ended an arrangement where South Korea covered the costs of US troops’ upkeep, calling the decision ‘unbelievable.’ These remarks align with his long-standing stance that allies should pay more for American protection.