SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea moved to patch up an emerging diplomatic row with the United States on Thursday, disowning any plan to lift sanctions against North Korea after President Trump’s blunt remark that Seoul could “do nothing” without Washington’s “approval.”

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha of South Korea said on Wednesday that government agencies were discussing lifting a broad trade and investment embargo that Seoul imposed on the North in 2010, a statement that came despite Washington’s efforts to keep the economic noose on Pyongyang until it denuclearizes.

The minister’s comment alarmed conservative South Koreans, who accused the government of undermining their country’s alliance with the United States, which has led the effort to impose United Nations sanctions on North Korea.

Ms. Kang’s remarks also risked antagonizing the Trump administration, which considers the sanctions its most potent leverage against the North. South Korea’s indication that it might break ranks came just as Washington was criticizing Beijing and Moscow for undermining sanctions enforcement.