FAILED DEFENSE COST TALKS WITH U.S.

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Seoul and Washington have yet again failed to reach an agreement on defense cost sharing. The two sides agreed to meet again later this month. Meanwhile, the Pentagon says that defense costs shouldered by South Korea will eventually go back to its economy. Here's more.

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The South Korean delegation to the defense cost sharing talks leaves with heavy heart. The sixth round of negotiations held in Washington ended without an agreement. The two sides failed to narrow their differences on the total amount of defense costs and each country's share.

[Soundbite] CHUNG EUN-BO(S. KOREAN CHIEF NEGOTIATOR) : "We need more time to bridge our differences to a mutually understandable level."

The South Korean delegation only mentioned that the allies are working to reach mutual understanding adding that the issue of South Korean troop dispatch to the Strait of Hormuz or weapons purchase were not discussed at the meeting. America's department of defense claims the costs shouldered by Seoul will eventually benefit the South Korean economy.

[Soundbite] JONATHAN HOFFMAN(PENTAGON SPOKESPERSON)

Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman highlighted that Washington has "continued to push on this since President Trump came into office," and expects "U.S. allies, whether in the Middle East, Europe or Asia, to pick up a little bit more of the burden." It's believed these remarks reflect Trump's determination to make allies pay more for their defense. It has been more than two weeks since 2020 began, but it seems unlikely we'll see progress in Special Measures Agreement talks soon. The next round of negotiations will likely be held within this month.