Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon says that Seoul has agreed with Washington to remain flexible on a timetable for a major U.S. troop reduction in South Korea.

Ban told South Korean correspondents in Bangkok Wednesday that both sides have agreed on the need to continue talks on the troop withdrawal issue and be flexible in dealing with the matter.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ban arrived in Thailand on the first leg of a three-nation tour that includes stops in New Zealand and Australia.

During a meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, Ban asked for help in persuading North Korea to fully address the 22-month nuclear arms impasse.

Ban also reportedly asked Thailand to beef up security for South Korean residents and Korean-related facilities in Thailand, as there had been several terror threats directed against the nation this year.

Ban also asked for the Thai government's support to expand trading volumes and to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the IT industry.

Minister Ban is scheduled to depart for New Zealand later Wednesday.