WASHINGTON — Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that South Korea is willing to make a substantive contribution to restoring free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the Foreign Ministry said on the 18th.
Cho met Rubio in Washington that morning and praised the active leadership of U.S. President Donald Trump and the United States in resolving Middle East issues, the ministry said. Rubio also briefed Cho on the recent situation in the Middle East, including Iran, and on U.S. efforts to restore regional peace and stability, according to the ministry. It was the first meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers in Washington in seven months, since February.
The two sides agreed to work toward a good outcome in ongoing consultations on strategic investment in the United States. They also agreed to maintain communication to ensure faithful implementation of key agreements between the two presidents, including the joint fact sheet from the summit.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson after the meeting, the State Department said Rubio "stressed prompt implementation of the investments in the 2025 Joint Fact Sheet." With South Korea's investment package in the United States appearing to be in the final stage of negotiations, the remark is read as indirect pressure for faster action. The department also said Rubio and Cho "affirmed continued cooperation in key strategic sectors, including semiconductors." After noting that the two discussed core issues in the alliance, the department listed cooperation in key strategic sectors including semiconductors first, suggesting it places weight on bilateral cooperation in semiconductors and other strategic areas.
The State Department also said Rubio reiterated the importance of cooperation to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and said it is critical to foster a transparent and level business environment for American companies operating in South Korea. A senior Foreign Ministry official said the comment "wrapped together a range of issues, including Coupang," adding that Cho "stressed that everything has been carried out as legitimate law enforcement in South Korea and that there will never be any action singling out American companies."
The senior official also said Rubio "said he would coordinate closely with South Korea if dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang moves forward," while confirming that "there has been no progress so far."
