Seoul, Feb 17 (IANS): South Korea has decided to reduce the number of its embassy staff in Yemen due to security concerns in the country, officials said Tuesday.

On Feb 6, Shia Houthi rebels ousted Yemen's government and dissolved parliament after expanding its influence following its seizure of the capital Sanaa in September, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Seoul's foreign ministry said it will reduce the number of South Korean diplomats at its embassy in Yemen while carefully considering a full-out evacuation if the situation worsens.

"The government plans to decide on whether to further reduce the number of diplomatic staff or to fully pull out of the country by taking into account the evolving political situation there," an official said.

As security concerns are growing, countries like US, Britain, Germany, France and Japan have temporarily closed their embassies in Yemen.

Yemen is one of the six countries on which Seoul has imposed travel bans.

The Seoul government has recommended withdrawal from the country of 40 nationals staying in Yemen.