Korea-U.S. Foreign Ministers Hold Talks on Implementation of U.S. Investment, Hormuz Cooperation, and Key Issues

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun Meets Secretary Mark Rubio in Washington
Rubio: "Cooperation on Hormuz Navigation Is Vital"…Cho: "Continued Communication on Hormuz Contribution"
South Korea and the U.S. Discuss North Korea's Denuclearization, Pledge "Close Coordination on North Korea Policy"

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio and agreed that both countries would strive to ensure the strategic investment projects in the U.S. are smoothly concluded. The U.S. side emphasized not only the smooth completion of investment negotiations but also the swift implementation of the investment commitments made between the leaders of South Korea and the United States.

On the 18th (local time) in Washington, D.C., Minister Cho explained the results of his meeting with Secretary Rubio to Korean correspondents at the South Korean Embassy after their talks.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun (left) and U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Minister Cho stated, "We agreed to work together so that the current bilateral consultations regarding strategic investment projects in the United States will lead to positive outcomes," adding, "I also requested Secretary Rubio's active involvement in the process."

In response, Secretary Rubio reportedly conveyed that the U.S. Department of State would make efforts to ensure the negotiations are smoothly concluded. Both sides also agreed to maintain ongoing communication to ensure the proper implementation of key agreements reached between the two leaders, including those detailed in the Joint Factsheet (JFS) from the Korea-U.S. summit.

The U.S. side placed particular emphasis on the "swift implementation" of investments in the U.S. The Department of State stated in materials distributed after the talks that the two countries agreed to continue cooperation in key strategic sectors, including semiconductors. It further highlighted the importance of promptly fulfilling the investment commitments outlined in the JFS.

The agenda also included discussion of the business environment for U.S. companies operating in South Korea, alongside Korean investment in the United States. The U.S. Department of State shared that Secretary Rubio stressed the importance of providing a business environment in which U.S. companies in Korea can operate under fair, transparent, and equal conditions.

It was also conveyed that securing stable supply chains essential to the U.S.'s core industries is of great importance.

Cooperation measures concerning navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz were also discussed.

Minister Cho explained during the talks that the South Korean government is determined to seek tangible ways, in concert with the United States and the international community, to help restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Both parties agreed to continue close communication on this issue going forward.

The U.S. Department of State also stated that Secretary Rubio reiterated the importance of joint efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. However, it remains unclear whether the U.S. side presented any specific forms or scale of contribution it expects from South Korea during the talks.

President Lee Jaemyung previously stated in a press conference that, regarding the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, there would be no form of troop dispatch that would involve participation in or direct engagement with war.

On the North Korea issue, the two countries agreed to continue close coordination on North Korea policy.

Minister Cho reported that both sides will maintain close communication and cooperation across all aspects of North Korea policy and will continue efforts to achieve denuclearization, peace, and stability on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy.

He further explained that the South Korean government, as a direct party to Korean Peninsula peace and as a "pacesetter," has expressed a commitment to actively support the resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States.

The U.S. Department of State stated that both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the "complete denuclearization of North Korea" and shared views on the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

It is also notable that the expressions regarding denuclearization differed in the explanations provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," while the U.S. Department of State used the phrase "complete denuclearization of North Korea."

In August, following a phone call between Minister Cho and Secretary Rubio, the statements released by both countries omitted any reference to denuclearization. At the time, some speculated that this was to align with the Trump administration's policy of seeking to resume dialogue with North Korea.

At this meeting, Secretary Rubio is said to have expressed a willingness for close cooperation with South Korea should dialogue between North Korea and the United States be realized. However, it was noted that no concrete progress on resuming North Korea–U.S. dialogue has been made so far.

Minister Cho also met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy Elbridge Colby and agreed to continue cooperation on Korea–U.S. security issues, including the transfer of wartime operational control. Minister Cho shared that Deputy Assistant Secretary Colby positively evaluated the South Korean government's efforts to strengthen the alliance's capabilities and expand its role, such as by increasing defense spending.

This Korea–U.S. foreign ministers' meeting is the first in approximately seven months since February. It took place about three and a half weeks after the two ministers last spoke by phone.

Meanwhile, the initial announcement of the U.S. investment project, totaling USD 350 billion, was initially expected to take place on the 18th Korea time, but it has been postponed to next week due to the rescheduling of a National Assembly report.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.