![Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (left) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/08/25/news-p.v1.20260825.55e5907a74d842298c67b869efcb524c_P1.jpg)
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone and agreed that close communication and coordination between the two allies has never been more important amid rapidly shifting global conditions. The call came as the prospect of resumed US-North Korea dialogue has resurfaced, with the two top diplomats reaffirming the need to align their policies on the North Korean nuclear issue.
According to South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US State Department, Cho and Rubio spoke Monday (local time) and exchanged views on the South Korea-US relationship, Korean Peninsula affairs and global developments.
The Foreign Ministry said the two ministers agreed that close communication between Seoul and Washington is more critical than ever given how rapidly the international situation has been changing.
The two sides also agreed to work together to produce mutually beneficial outcomes on key bilateral issues — including tariff and investment agreements and shipbuilding and security cooperation — with the aim of elevating the alliance to a higher level.
They also agreed to maintain close communication and coordination to preserve the combined defense posture and to advance peace on the Korean Peninsula and a resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.
Cho said South Korea would do its utmost to ensure that recent messages from US President Donald Trump directed at North Korea translate into the resumption of US-North Korea dialogue and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Cho's remarks are seen as an effort to underscore the need for tight coordination on North Korea policy amid concerns that Washington may be moving toward acceptance of the North's nuclear status — concerns that have arisen as Trump has raised the possibility of meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year while avoiding any mention of denuclearization.
Cho is also understood to have conveyed Seoul's intention to seek an active role — potentially as a "pacemaker" — should US-North Korea talks gain momentum.
The Foreign Ministry said Rubio briefed Cho on the situation in the Middle East, including Iran, and on US efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
Cho expressed appreciation for Trump's and Washington's active leadership on Middle East issues, while stressing South Korea's commitment to making a tangible contribution to restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and proposed continuing consultations on specific measures.
The State Department, in a two-sentence readout issued under the name of spokesperson Tommy Pigott, said Rubio "discussed a range of issues related to the US-South Korea alliance" during the call with Cho.
The department said Rubio noted "the need for both countries to maintain close coordination on matters essential to the alliance."
The two ministers agreed to meet in person in the near future for more in-depth consultations on key issues.
However, the State Department's readout contained no direct reference to the North Korean nuclear issue, including denuclearization.
Some observers suggest the omission may indirectly reflect Trump's intent to create conditions for a US-North Korea summit before the end of the year.
Trump sparked controversy Wednesday when he said he would meet Kim Jong-un this year, adding, "He has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons."
When asked whether denuclearization remained his goal in resuming ties with Kim, Trump declined to answer directly, saying, "I don't want to talk about that."
mokiya@heraldcorp.com
