Headed by the ministry's policy planning chief, Cha Young-koo, and the U.S.'s Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Affairs, Richard Lawless, the two sides agreed on the principle of moving U.S. troops off the central Seoul Yongsan base as soon as possible. The U.S. delegation suggested an immediate redeployment of the 2nd Infantry Division to south of the Han River, while the Koreans insisted that the issue be shelved until the North Korean nuclear issue is solved.

Washington's defense officials argued that the 2nd Division's camps in northern Gyeonggi province are in urban areas and vulnerable to accidents, and should be moved south.

While the meeting was scheduled to end by 3:30 p.m., it continued through the evening due to difficulties in reaching agreements. On Wednesday, the talks will focus on current issues for the USFK and general issues for the alliance. The participants will then issue a joint statement.

Led by Cha, the Korean team includes Kim Sung-man, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's strategic planning division, Sim Yun-jo, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's North American affairs department and eight others. Washington sent eight senior officials, including the Department of State's special envoy Christopher LaFleur. (Yu Yong-won, kysu@chosun.com )