Fears that Washington might pull some or all of the roughly 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea have loomed large in the country since Trump's first term.

South Korea's defence ministry said on Friday that Seoul and Washington had not had discussions about the withdrawal of some U.S. troops stationed in the country.

The US is reviewing a proposal that could result in the withdrawal of about 4,500 American troops stationed in South Korea, a move that could further stir security concerns in the region, the Wall Street Journal reported citing people familiar with the matter.