'Will maintain clear stance if anything goes against national interest' at Friday's Rubio meeting

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun heads to a microphone to answer reporters' questions at Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2 on Yeongjongdo, Incheon, on Thursday before departing for a bilateral foreign ministers' meeting with the United States. [Yonhap]
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun heads to a microphone to answer reporters' questions at Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2 on Yeongjongdo, Incheon, on Thursday before departing for a bilateral foreign ministers' meeting with the United States. [Yonhap]

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Thursday that the recently delayed announcement of South Korea's investment plans for the United States reflects domestic procedural considerations rather than any disagreement between the two countries.

Cho made the remarks to reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for Washington to attend a bilateral foreign ministers' meeting.

Asked whether South Korea's US investment plans would come up during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday (local time), Cho said the issue would likely surface "in the course of reviewing the overall relationship between the two countries." He added that Seoul would clearly explain to Washington what it is able to offer, and said he intends to "lay out in detail and maintain a clear stance" on any issue that runs counter to South Korea's national interest or differs from its position.

On the question of deploying troops to the Strait of Hormuz — a request from the US — Cho reaffirmed a cautious stance, saying the matter "has not yet been decided and is under review with various factors in mind." He said he would convey to Washington the government's position that South Korea would participate in international cooperation efforts while giving priority to the safety of its citizens and freedom of navigation through the strait. He added that Seoul had already communicated its basic position to Tehran during a phone call last week with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

On follow-up measures stemming from the joint fact sheet issued after two Korea-US summits — covering nuclear-powered submarine cooperation and civil nuclear energy collaboration — Cho signaled that Seoul intends to move quickly. He said he plans to push for "continuous and swift working-level consultations" and to implement the joint fact sheet outcomes "as soon as possible."

Regarding the growing momentum for resumed North Korea-US dialogue, Cho said any breakthrough in relations between the two would be "something our government would welcome," adding that "there is no chance the government will be bypassed, so we will need to keep a close watch on developments."


sunpine@heraldcorp.com