American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 17, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel issued the following statement yesterday on the South Korean government’s ratification of a new special measures agreement that provides South Korean support to offset/share costs for the combined defense of the Korean Peninsula.
"I welcome the Republic of Korea (ROK) National Assembly's ratification of a new special measures agreement (SMA) providing for ROK support to offset costs associated with stationing U.S. forces on the Korean Peninsula. The 2014-2018 cost-sharing agreement will provide for continued ROK support in logistics, labor, and construction and will help ensure that we have the resources necessary for the combined defense of the Korean Peninsula. Since 1991, special measures agreements have served as a pillar of the shared commitment to the defense of the Korean Peninsula by combined U.S. and ROK forces. As the United States continues to rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region, our commitment to the U.S.-ROK Alliance will only grow stronger."