Pentagon chief says unaware of any threat to pull U.S. troops from South Korea

"I have not heard that," Esper said during a trip to Vietnam when asked about a report in South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo.

"I read articles in the media all the time that are false or inaccurate or overstated," he said.

Asked if there was any threat to withdraw U.S. forces from South Korea if talks failed, Esper said: "We're not threatening allies over this. This is a negotiation."