Seoul and Washington are close to an agreement on relocating the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

Foreign Minister Ban Ki-mun said during his weekly news briefing Thursday that the two countries agreed to consider Camp Coiner at Yongsan Garrison as an alternative site for the U.S. Embassy.

The U.S. Embassy had initially planned to move to a site near Doksu Palace, but the project was put on hold because of concern that it would destroy cultural properties that may lie buried at the Joseon Dynasty royal place.

A cultural survey of the site found a pathway of King Gojong, the second to last king of the Joseon Dynasty.