Seoul and Washington hold talks on cost of US troops in South Korea

A third round of talks with the United States on a new agreement on sharing the cost of stationing American troops in South Korea, that is to come into effect next year, began on Thursday in the capital of South Korea, local media outlets report. In the previous two rounds, the sides failed to coordinate positions on the share South Korea will be paying within the next five years. The U.S. demands that South Korea sizably increase its contribution - to one trillion won a year ($896.05 million), but South Korea insists it must be adjusted for inflation. The countries first signed the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) in 1991. In accordance with the current agreement for 2009-2013, South Korea’s contribution to the upkeep of U.S. forces is yearly adjusted for inflation. This year, Seoul is to pay $780.73 million.