Top Korean, U.S. diplomats reaffirm "resolute" commitment to N. Korea denuclearization, trilateral cooperation with Japan

Published on: 2025/08/01 11:37

Top Korean, U.S. diplomats reaffirm "resolute" commitment to N. Korea denuclearization, trilateral cooperation with Japan
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South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Thursday local time.

This was the first foreign ministerial meeting since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung Administration.

For more on what was talked about and what comes next, we have our correspondent Oh Soo-young on the line.

Q1. Sooyoung. The top diplomats of Seoul and Washington held their first-ever discussion at their meeting in D.C.. Tell us more.

Good morning. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his counterpart Marco Rubio met Thursday afternoon, very early in the morning here in Seoul.

The two officials appear to have discussed the South Korea-U.S. alliance and broader security issues in the region.

Seoul's Foreign Ministry says they exchanged views on North Korea, deeming it "necessary to strengthen cooperation" on Pyongyang, and agreed to an enhanced whole-of-government approach.

They also agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, based on the Seoul-Washington alliance.

Washington's readout focused more on deterrence against North Korea, saying the two officials reaffirmed "resolute" commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.

The statement also expressed serious concern over North Korea’s growing military cooperation with Russia, and said Cho and Rubio both committed to the full implementation of international sanctions against Pyongyang.

It also positioned Seoul and Washington's three-way cooperation with Tokyo as an effort to strengthen deterrence against "regional threats" while emphasizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Their talks followed the sudden conclusion of trade negotiations by finance and trade officials the day before, Cho and Rubio welcomed the bilateral trade agreement and pledged cooperation on supply chains and critical and emerging technologies.

Seoul further emphasised a third pillar of partnership in advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and quantum technology, alongside security and trade cooperation.

Q2. There's also talk of "alliance modernization" following the tariff agreement. What’s the latest on that?

Right. Security issues were not substantively addressed in the recent trade negotiations.

Initially, a so-called "package deal" covering both tariffs and security matters was touted.

However, discussions on "alliance modernization" are now expected.

The term refers to adjusting the role and scope of the Korea-U.S. alliance in line with changing strategic conditions and as Washington presses allies to contribute more towards their own security.

Both the Foreign Minister and Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back, who held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, have reportedly discussed alliance modernization.

No specific outcomes have been announced yet.

However, it is expected that the summit between Presidents Lee and Trump could serve as a starting point, with a potential 2+2 ministerial meeting to follow for detailed discussions.

Trump has stated his meeting with Lee will take place within the next two weeks, and reportedly instructed Secretary Rubio to make arrangements without delay.

So we can expect him to coordinate with Seoul, including with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.

Speaking with reporters after their meeting, the Korean foreign minister said the talks with Rubio were good and constructive, and that talks to prepare for the leaders' summit have now begun.

Back to you Eunji.

Thanks for that Sooyoung.

Arirang news https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=285836

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