The U.S. State Department said Friday there has been progress in negotiations with South Korea over the sharing of costs for stationing U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula.

Responding to a KBS inquiry on whether a deal can be struck in the near future, a department spokesperson said that talks continue, progress is being made and both sides are committed to expeditiously concluding the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) and thereby strengthening the bilateral alliance, calling it the linchpin of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia. 

But the official did not comment on a specific deadline or confirm details on ongoing diplomatic discussions.

The remarks come one day after a media report suggested the countries may be nearing an agreement in defense cost negotiations.

CNN said Thursday quoting multiple sources that the allies may be "just weeks away" from signing a deal that will raise Seoul's contribution to the cost of U.S. troop upkeep by around 13 percent. 

The last SMA expired at the end of 2019 and the two sides have been deadlocked on renewing the agreement. 

Seoul had offered to increase its payment by 13 percent but the former Trump administration demanded a 50 percent hike.