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While US Relaxes Demands in S. Korea Cost-Sharing Talks, Gaps Remain

William Gallo

   SEOUL - Harry Harris, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, says
   Washington has softened its demand for how much Seoul should pay for
   the cost of the U.S. military presence here, but says a gap remains and
   that "time is of the essence."

   "We have some time left, [but] not a lot of time," Harris said
   Thursday, a day after a sixth round of cost-sharing negotiations ended
   in Washington with no breakthrough.

   For the second consecutive year, U.S. and South Korean negotiators were
   unable to reach an agreement before the cost-sharing deal expired at
   the end of the year. Both sides hope to eventually reach a deal that
   would retroactively cover the intervening weeks.

   Seoul's foreign ministry Thursday said both sides expanded their mutual
   understanding during the latest round of talks, but that there are
   still differences.

   Speaking to foreign correspondents at his residence, Harris said the
   chief U.S. negotiator has reduced the "top-line number" for how much
   Seoul should pay for the presence of the 28,500 troops. "He has
   compromised, so we are now waiting for the Korean side to do the same,"
   said Harris.

   The U.S. had reportedly asked South Korea to increase the amount it
   pays by five times - a demand rejected by Seoul as unreasonable.

   The issue has created an awkward strain in a nearly 70-year-old
   alliance that both sides tout as "ironclad." Opinion polls show South
   Koreans overwhelmingly reject the U.S. demand but still support the
   alliance and want U.S. troops to stay.

   "I pay attention to South Korean public opinion - it's important,"
   Harris said. However, he insisted there is no evidence the U.S.
   financial demands were detrimental to the overall relationship.

   "Financial demands only become detrimental if we can't reach an
   agreement," Harris said.

   Earlier this week, President Moon Jae-in said South Korea should
   contribute a "reasonable and fair amount," noting that any eventual
   deal will need to be approved by South Korea's National Assembly, its
   legislature.

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