U.S. Army Pacific commander: Cheaper to keep U.S. troops in South Korea

WASHINGTON — The four-star Army general picked to lead American forces in Korea says it's less expensive to keep U.S. troops stationed in South Korea than in the United States.

In testimony Tuesday, Gen. Vincent Brooks tallied up the financial load South Korea carries in what amounted to a rebuke of Donald Trump, the GOP's front-running presidential contender.

Trump has called for U.S. allies to pay more for their own defense.

John McCain of Arizona, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, prompted Brooks' answers.

Brooks says South Korea pays half of the annual cost, or $808 million, for U.S. troops to be stationed on the peninsula.

The general says South Korea is paying for 92 percent of a $10.8 billion construction project to build a base for U.S. troops.

More In Your Army

Fort Bragg warrant officer charged with murder after two toddlers died

Rivera is assigned to 307th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division.

‘We have been hit by a fish!’ Lest we forget the great submarine vs. swordfish battle of 1967

At a depth of approximately 2,000 feet off the coast of Florida, the sub was suddenly blindsided by an aggravated swordfish.

Don’t call it a landmine. Soldiers test suitcase-sized tank killer

The weapon can activate and self-destruct on a timed basis.

Army gears up for Rapid Trident Exercise in Ukraine

Rapid Trident 21 begins Sept. 20.

Paratrooper ordered videos deleted after dodgy gunfight in Syria, charge sheets say

U.S. forces were supposed to remain two kilometers away from pro-Syrian regime fighters.

In Other News

Federal judge gives green light for two mold lawsuits filed by military families

Judge denies privatized housing companies' request to dismiss the mold lawsuits.

Military COVID-19 deaths continue to spike but no fatalities among fully vaccinated

Of 46 deaths so far, none have occurred in troops who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Guard soldier caught in uniform trying to transport cocaine, complaint says

He was in uniform and driving a marked U.S. Border Patrol vehicle.

Pentagon urges all employees to report symptoms of ‘Havana syndrome’

The Pentagon has issued a memo urging all employees to look out for mysterious symptoms.

Only 29 percent of SOF troops find military transition program ‘helpful’: survey

Retired Army CSM Richard Lamb says a possible solution is to begin transition assistance on day one.

Load More