U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris has said that Seoul’s financial contribution for the deployment of U.S. troops, who he said are performing a role to protect the country, is not enough. From the perspective of the United States, South Korea could be seen as having funded only one-fifth of the total defense cost, he commented, adding that as the world’s 12th largest economy, South Korea can and should take a larger share.

The two sides may be able to find middle ground if they enter into negotiations, the ambassador said in an exclusive interview with the Dong-A Ilbo at the State Department in Washington on Friday (local time). Washington has consistently called for Seoul to increase its contribution for next year to 4.8 billion dollars (around 5.81 trillion won), five times the current amount. Stressing that they cannot let the talks take forever, Washington has set the deadline of the talks at Dec. 31 this year.