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.

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.

South Korea’s military firmly denied that any discussions have taken place with the United States regarding a potential withdrawal of American troops from the peninsula, following a media report suggesting the White House was considering such a move.