15:16 March 20
Discussions between the US and South Korean governments over the cost of the US military stationed in South Korea over three days in Los Angeles did not reach an agreement. The U.S. military has said that if talks cannot be concluded, Koreans working at bases and other facilities may take a leave of absence from next month, and attention will be paid to future actions.
The seventh round of talks between the U.S. and South Korean governments over expenses for US troops stationed in South Korea was resumed in Los Angeles on March 17 for the first time in about two months.
The talks were extended by one day and continued until the 19th, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea stated that no agreement had been reached on the grounds that both sides were open.
The U.S. military has announced that if talks cannot be concluded, about 9,000 Koreans working at bases and the like may be on leave from next month, and the Korean side wants to solve this problem alone. But no progress was made.
The Korean news agency, Union News, has reported that the US side has reduced its demand by about $ 1 billion from the beginning, but is seeking around $ 4 billion, almost four times last year.
With regard to the cost of the US military stationing, Japan has been paying attention to the prospects of talks between the United States and South Korea, as Japan is just ahead of negotiations.