Upset at Cost-Sharing Demands, USFK to Cut 1,000 Korean Workers Seoul Is Beginning to Reap What It Sowed Gov't Perplexed at USFK Staff Cuts Announcement Union Threatens Industrial Action Over USFK Layoffs Seoul Cuts Share in USFK Upkeep Korea, U.S. Squabble over Footing USFK Bill

Korea and the U.S. failed Thursday to narrow differences over how to shoulder expenses for maintaining the U.S. Forces Korea after 2007 in the second day of their third round of negotiations. The two sides agreed to hold a fourth round of negotiations late next month.

A Korean government official said no compromise was reached over how much of the upkeep each country would pay for, adding it will be difficult to conclude the negotiations by the proposed date, the end of the year.

Korea wants to pay less than this year’s budget of W680.4 billion (US$1=W958) since 12,500 U.S soldiers will leave Korea by 2008. However, the U.S. wants Seoul to pay more, saying that Korea’s share is less than a third of the total cost, far smaller than the proportion other countries pay to keep U.S. troops there. Korea wants a two- or three-year contract, considering that the two allies are headed for a period of major transition in the alliance, while the U.S wants a 10-year contract to ensure the stable management of combat power.

(englishnews@chosun.com )