The United States has denied a South Korean news report that it is considering withdrawing up to 4,000 troops from South Korea if Seoul does not pay more for maintaining the 28,500-strong U.S. contingent deterring North Korean aggression.

South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported Thursday that the withdrawal of a U.S. brigade — typically 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers — had been discussed with the top brass of the U.S. military in South Korea, citing an unidentified diplomatic source in Washington.

The report came two days after the United States broke off talks over defense costs after demanding that South Korea raise its annual contribution for maintaining the U.S. contingent to $5 billion — more than five times what it pays now — a South Korean official said. Such discord in the alliance is rare.