Story highlights Donald Trump has accused Seoul of not contributing adequately to its own defense

South Korean government pays for nearly 50% of costs of U.S. troops

Washington (CNN) Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has accused South Korea, Japan and Germany of short-changing the United States for the cost of being safeguarded by American troops and argued that he would negotiate better deals if commander in chief.

But defense officials and military experts say the United States is saving money in many cases by stationing troops overseas and having host countries pick up a lot of the tab.

While many foreign policy experts have long maintained that the United States receives more than its fair share of benefits in terms of security and influence by having foreign bases for troops, the Pentagon is now arguing the deployments make financial sense as well.

The top U.S. commander in South Korea said on Tuesday that it was "absolutely" cheaper to have American troops in the Asian country rather than back home, when questioned on the subject at a Senate hearing.

Army Gen. Vincent Brooks told the Senate Armed Services Committee that "the Republic of Korea is carrying a significant load" of the U.S. commitment and pays "about 50% of our personnel costs of being there," in response to questioning from Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Read More