U.S. raised prospect of using South Korea bases for Afghan refugees, Seoul says

FILE PHOTO: South Korea's Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong wearing a face mask speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (not pictured) during a bilateral meeting as part of the G7 foreign ministers meeting, in London, Britain May 3, 2021. Ben Stansall/Pool via REUTERS

SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States discussed "at a very basic level" using its bases in South Korea to temporarily house refugees from Afghanistan, but talks on the issue have not progressed, South Korea's foreign minister said on Monday.

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong told lawmakers at a parliamentary hearing that there was no such discussion currently under way, but under additional questioning said that American officials had made preliminary requests.