A top South Korean diplomat says he thinks it may be possible to hold additional negotiations with Washington on the timing of the reduction of American troops on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea's Ambassador to the United States, Han Sung-joo, made the remarks Thursday during a meeting with a group of Korean correspondents in Washington.

He said, however, it would be difficult to adjust the size of the troops Washington said it would cut back in South Korea since the scope of the cut was decided on long ago.

Han said that he does not believe that the U.S. plan to withdraw some of its troops was related to anti-American sentiment in South Korea.

As for Washington's plan to redeploy some troops from South Korea for duty in Iraq, Han said the decision was suddenly prompted by the worsening security situation in the Gulf state. He also said prior consultations with South Korea on the troop pullout may have well been difficult due to the domestic political chaos over President Roh's impeachment.

On Sunday, the U.S. informed Seoul of its plan to withdraw 12,500 of its troops from South Korea by the end of 2005 in line with its Global Defense Posture Review program.

On North Korea's nuclear issue, Han said the date for the next round of six-party nuclear talks will be announced some time early next week.