Korea and the U.S. conduct a joint river-crossing exercise in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, March 20. Yonhap

A defense cost-sharing agreement between Korea and the United States represents the allies' shared commitment to a "robust" security posture, a Pentagon spokesperson said Thursday following the first round of talks on the deal.

The two countries concluded the initial round of the negotiations in Honolulu on Thursday to determine how much Seoul should pay for the stationing of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) under the deal, called the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), as the current six-year SMA is set to expire at the end of next year.

"The Special Measures Agreements reflect our shared commitment to a stable stationing environment for U.S. forces in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and a robust combined defense posture," Lieut. Col. Marty Meiners said in a statement, referring to South Korea by its official name.

"We appreciate all the Republic of Korea contributes to the U.S.-ROK Alliance, including but not limited to the SMA cost-sharing contributions," he added.

He also reiterated the importance of the bilateral alliance as the "linchpin of peace, security and prosperity for Northeast Asia, the broader Indo-Pacific and beyond."

"As we work to further strengthen the U.S.-ROK alliance, our two countries will stand better prepared to engage with our other allies and partners across the world, not to meet yesterday's challenges, but those of today and tomorrow," he said.

The two sides exchanged their positions in principle, a Seoul official said in response to a media query on the outcome of the talks.

"South Korea and the U.S. plan to have consultations frequently in relation to the 12th SMA," the official said, adding that the schedule for the next round of talks has yet to be decided.

Ahead of the start of the negotiations, Washington said the U.S. seeks to pursue a "fair" and "equitable" outcome in the defense burden sharing talks with Seoul.

Lee Tae-woo, a senior diplomat and former consul general in Sydney, led the South Korean delegation in the SMA negotiations, while the U.S. delegation was headed by Linda Specht, a senior adviser and lead negotiator for security agreements at the State Department.

Since 1991, Seoul has partially shouldered costs under the SMA for Korean USFK workers; the construction of military installations, such as barracks, and training, educational, operational and communications facilities; and other logistical support. (Yonhap)