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| U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris |
South Korea flatly rejected the demand, maintaining its position that it cannot pay more than 1 trillion won.
"U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris met with South Korea's National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong last month to deliver the final proposal," a government official said, asking for anonymity.
On top of that, Washington also urged Seoul to renew the cost-sharing contract each year from the current five year, according to the official.
Starting March last year, Seoul and Washington have engaged in negotiations to renew the five-year contract which expired at the end of last year. But they failed to reach a consensus for the Special Measures Agreement (SMA).
The cost-sharing is focused on which side should pay more for the upkeep of the 28,500 troops of the United States Forces Korea (USFK) stationed here.
With the two sides showing no signs of coming to terms with each other on the total amount each side should pay, it appears they will not be able to reach a consensus on the issue in the near future.
The stalemate in the negotiations came as U.S. President Donald Trump, since taking office in 2017, has maintained a hardline on defense cost-sharing with its allies, particularly South Korea.
The "America First" policy drive by the Trump administration is also reflected in the ongoing deadlock in negotiations.
South Korea's foreign and defense ministries declined to comment on any details of the issue, as the negotiations are still underway.
A military official said, "South Korea and the U.S. are still in talks to generate the best outcomes that can satisfy both sides." He said the ministry will unveil details after the negotiations are finished.
