Seoul: The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States have agreed to maintain "close" communication and cooperation to tackle North Korea's nuclear issue and foster peace on the Korean Peninsula during a phone call, Seoul's foreign ministry announced on Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held their discussions on Monday (Seoul time), amidst concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration might deprioritize or shift focus from the challenging goal of Pyongyang's denuclearization. This apprehension arises as Trump expresses a desire to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year.
The concerns were further heightened last week when Trump avoided answering a reporter's inquiry on whether his aim in reengaging with Kim Jong-un remains centered on denuclearization. The foreign ministry's statement highlighted that both diplomats agreed to sustain close communication and cooperation for peace on the Korean Peninsula and the resolution of North Korea's nuclear issue while upholding a strong combined defense posture.
In a separate brief statement, Tommy Pigott, the State Department spokesperson, noted Rubio's emphasis on the necessity for the two nations to "remain in close coordination on matters integral to the alliance," although he did not explicitly mention the North's nuclear issue.
During the conversation, Cho conveyed South Korea's intention to facilitate Trump's recent message to North Korea in hopes of resuming dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, thus advancing peace on the peninsula, according to the ministry. This appeared to allude to Trump's recent comments indicating a potential meeting with Kim later this year.
These remarks followed Trump's earlier directive to reduce South Korea-U.S. military exercises, viewed as a gesture of conciliation towards Pyongyang. The Wall Street Journal has reported Trump's pursuit of a meeting with Kim, potentially coinciding with his forthcoming trip to Asia for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, in November.
Acknowledging recent shifts in international dynamics, the diplomats reaffirmed their shared understanding of the critical importance of close communication between South Korea and the U.S., the ministry stated. They also pledged to collaborate on enhancing bilateral relations by achieving "mutually beneficial" outcomes on several pending issues, including tariffs, an investment agreement, and security cooperation.
During the call, Cho emphasized Seoul's dedication to contributing substantively to restoring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while acknowledging President Trump's active leadership in addressing Middle East concerns. This followed Trump's expression of frustration over South Korea's lack of response to his request for assistance in securing the crucial shipping route for oil and other commodities.
Rubio explained ongoing U.S. efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Middle East. Both Cho and Rubio agreed to convene in the near future for in-depth discussions on key outstanding issues.