The president’s office stated on the 25th (local time) that President Donald Trump requested a ’transfer of ownership of the U.S. Forces Korea site’ during a summit with President Lee Jae-myung, noting, ”The U.S. Forces Korea site is given to be used freely, not on a lease, and the concept of rent(expense) does not apply.” They added, ”We need to understand more about the background of President Trump’s statement.” Because it is a matter of a grant, not a lease, it is not subject to a ’transfer of ownership.’
Wi Sung-lac, Deputy Minister for National Security, attending the Korea-U.S. summit, mentioned at a press briefing at the Washington D.C. press center, ”According to the SOFA agreement, the U.S. forces use the site during which we provide the grant. We need to understand what was meant before responding to the media. The agreement states it grants facilities and zones, hence it is not a concept of giving and receiving ownership.” Läs artikel