James DeHart, the U.S. representative for defense cost-sharing talks with South Korea, has been named a special envoy for the Arctic.
The State Department announced the move Wednesday, a week after Secretary Mike Pompeo vowed to enhanced engagement in the Arctic on a visit to Denmark.
DeHart's replacement has yet to be named.
From last September to this March, DeHart had taken part in a total of seven rounds of negotiations with Seoul officials on sharing the cost of keeping American troops on the Korean Peninsula.
Washington has asked for 1.3 billion dollars a year, a 50 percent hike from last year's payment, while Seoul has refused to give more than a 13 percent increase.
An official from the State Department said they remain committed to reaching a mutually acceptable deal, but reiterated that South Korea should contribute more of its fair share.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
