SEOUL, July 16 (Reuters) - South Korea's National Security Council on Thursday held a meeting with economic and diplomatic officials to discuss key trade and security issues with the United States, the presidential office said.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said government ministries needed to work closely together to respond to rising external uncertainty, the office said, noting that trade and security issues are increasingly intertwined in relations with Washington.

The meeting came after South Korea's ambassador to the United States returned to Seoul on Wednesday at the foreign ministry's request. Local media reported she was expected to brief Wi and other presidential officials on trade and diplomatic issues with Washington, including friction over e-commerce giant Coupang and other bilateral trade matters.