The U.S. State Department said the United States and South Korea are "very close" to reaching an agreement in their defense cost-sharing negotiations.

A department spokesperson made the remarks on Wednesday in response to an inquiry by Seoul-based Yonhap News regarding the prospect of the negotiations set to begin this week.

The official said that the two sides are very close to reaching agreement on an updated Special Measures Agreement(SMA), stressing that the U.S.-South Korea alliance is a linchpin for peace, security and prosperity in Northeast Asia, the Indo-Pacific and across the world. 

The official then expressed hope that the allies will swiftly reach a mutually acceptable agreement that will enhance their alliance and combined defense. 

The remarks come as the allies are set to hold the ninth round of SMA talks on Friday in Washington.