S. Korea to work with U.S., Japan to manage relations with "somewhat problematic" China: FM

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun says U.S. soldiers will stay stationed on the Korean peninsula and that Seoul will work with Washington and Tokyo to navigate relations with Beijing.

In an interview with the Washington Post Seoul's top diplomat brushed aside concerns of a potential U.S. troop reduction adding that he had secured assurances against any such plan from American senators during his trip to D.C. last week.

With regard to regional matters Cho observed that China was becoming quote "somewhat problematic" for its neighbors given its maritime actions.

However he also highlighted the importance of seeking to engage China instead of simply seeking to contain it while working with partners like Japan to uphold international law.