"I hope we can return to the US for its warm hospitality that was provided in the first round, and I also expect to have in-depth discussions under mutual trust and respect throughout the second round of consultations," he added.

South Korea has shared US Forces Korea upkeep costs since 1991 under the Special Measures Agreement. Seoul's contribution has increased to around 960 billion won ($887.5 million) this year from 150 billion won in 1991.

The current arrangement, signed in 2014, is set to expire on Dec. 31. The US is currently demanding Seoul shoulder more of the financial burden.

South Korea's negotiation team is led by Chang, a career diplomat who was appointed to the position in mid-November. His US counterpart is Timothy Betts, deputy assistant secretary for plans, programs and operations at the US State Department.

Betts emphasized that the allies share the "objective of strengthening the alliance for the benefit of both of our people."

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha earlier said that South Korea has been a "very exemplary" ally for the US in sharing the military cost, adding that the government will strive to draw a reasonable and transparent agreement that its people and the National Assembly can agree with.

Last month, the ministry ordered its incumbent ambassador to Britain to return home, apparently to hold him responsible for allegedly not reporting some parts of the previous agreement to lawmakers. He was the chief negotiator for the 2014 cost-sharing agreement subject to parliamentary approval. (Yonhap)