On Monday evening, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call to discuss U.S.-South Korea relations and the North Korean nuclear issue. This conversation is seen as an effort to address recent discrepancies that emerged during the scaling back of U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises and to align both countries’ positions in anticipation of potential renewed dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Minister Cho and Secretary Rubio exchanged views on bilateral relations, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and global affairs during their afternoon call.
Both officials agreed to maintain a robust U.S.-South Korea joint defense posture and to continue close communication and cooperation to address the North Korean nuclear issue.
Previously, concerns arose about insufficient coordination between Seoul and Washington following President Donald Trump’s directive to reduce the scope of the regular joint military exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS). This fueled worries about diplomatic communication between the allies and sparked discussions about the possibility of Korea passing – a scenario where North Korea and the U.S. might engage in dialogue without South Korean involvement.
This latest call between the top diplomats aims to smooth over recent discord and align the allies’ positions as they prepare for potential talks with North Korea. Both nations appear to have reaffirmed their shared goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula while reaching a consensus on addressing the North Korean nuclear issue.
Minister Cho emphasized South Korea’s commitment to leveraging President Trump’s recent messages to facilitate renewed dialogue with North Korea and promote peace on the peninsula, underscoring Seoul’s role as a mediator.
The officials also acknowledged the critical importance of maintaining close U.S.-South Korea communication amid shifting global dynamics.
They expressed their commitment to achieving mutually beneficial outcomes on various bilateral issues, including tariffs, U.S. investments, and cooperation in shipbuilding and security, with the aim of further strengthening the alliance.
Secretary Rubio briefed Minister Cho on U.S. efforts to restore stability in the Middle East, including the situation with Iran.
Minister Cho commended President Trump’s proactive leadership in addressing Middle Eastern issues and emphasized South Korea’s willingness to contribute practically to ensuring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. He also expressed interest in continuing discussions on specific ways to provide substantial support.
The two diplomats plan to meet in person soon for more comprehensive discussions on key issues.