Iron-clad alliance reaffirmed; ministers agree to advance strategic investment talks and implement summit agreements

Cho says Seoul will serve as 'pacemaker' for North Korea-US dialogue

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands at the start of their bilateral talks at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on Friday (local time). [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands at the start of their bilateral talks at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on Friday (local time). [Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to Washington, covering a broad range of issues including strengthening the South Korea-US alliance, Seoul's potential contribution to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Saturday that Cho met Rubio on Friday morning in Washington, D.C., exchanging views on bilateral relations, Korean Peninsula issues, and regional and global affairs. The meeting came roughly three and a half weeks after the two ministers spoke by phone on Aug. 24.

The two ministers reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the iron-clad South Korea-US alliance and agreed to further strengthen it as a cornerstone of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and across the Indo-Pacific. They also agreed to cooperate toward an early conclusion of ongoing consultations on South Korea's strategic investment in the United States, and to maintain close communication to faithfully implement key agreements reached between the two heads of state, including those outlined in the Joint Fact Sheet from their summit.

On Korean Peninsula security, the ministers shared their commitment to pursuing denuclearization through dialogue and diplomacy. Cho said South Korea would actively support the resumption of North Korea-US dialogue as a direct stakeholder in Korean Peninsula peace and as a "pacemaker" in that process. The two sides agreed to maintain close communication and coordination on North Korea policy, including on North Korea-US dialogue.

The ministers also held in-depth discussions on the Middle East. Rubio briefed Cho on recent developments in the region, including the situation involving Iran, and on US efforts to restore peace and stability. Cho praised President Donald Trump and the United States for their active leadership in addressing Middle East issues. He also conveyed Seoul's commitment to making a tangible contribution to restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the two sides agreed to stay in close contact on the matter.

The two ministers said they plan to communicate regularly to build further positive momentum in the bilateral relationship and to ensure smooth progress across the various areas of cooperation the two countries are pursuing.


sunpine@heraldcorp.com