South Korea’s defense minister on Thursday dismissed concerns over imminent disarmament, while admitting that Seoul has reviewed the withdrawal of troops from frontline areas in the context of the country’s broader defense reforms.

Speaking at a closed-door news conference marking the one anniversary of his inauguration as Minister of National Defense, Song Young-moo said any reduction of firepower on the inter-Korean border would have to follow further trust-building between Pyongyang and Seoul.

Since South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader’s agreement in April to “alleviate acute military tensions” between the two countries, concerns over a premature ROK relaxation of defensive