According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is set to discuss a broad range of issues, including the modernization of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and North Korea’s denuclearization agenda, during his bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
During a regular press briefing on Thursday, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae Woong stated that both nations recognize the need to modernize and advance their alliance in response to the complex challenges and current global landscape of the 21st century, adding that they are currently engaged in intensive discussions on this matter.
Lee further explained that while dialogues have taken place between the two countries’ defense authorities, the diplomatic agencies are also closely collaborating on alliance modernization efforts. These discussions are anticipated to continue during the upcoming meeting between the foreign ministers.
The spokesperson also noted that with the confirmation of the U.S.-South Korea summit, they will be working closely to finalize the specific schedule and concrete plans in the coming days.
On Wednesday, Minister Cho held the inaugural South Korea-Japan foreign ministers’ meeting with Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. On Thursday, he is scheduled to meet with Secretary Rubio in Washington, D.C. for the U.S.-South Korea foreign ministers’ meeting.
During this introductory bilateral meeting, the two ministers are expected to coordinate the schedule for the U.S.-South Korea summit and discuss key issues including North Korea’s nuclear program, regional geopolitical developments, the U.S.-South Korea alliance, and trilateral cooperation between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan.