⚡️🇰🇷🇺🇸 — South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met at the State Department in Washington on Friday to discuss bilateral U.S. investment projects, the foreign ministry said. The two sides are negotiating the implementation of last year's trade deal, under which Seoul committed $350 billion in U.S. investment. Cho asked Rubio for joint efforts to ensure ongoing consultations on strategic investment projects yield results; Rubio stated the State Department would work toward a successful conclusion — Yonhap News Agency.

Cho said both sides agreed to continue communication to implement last year's summit agreements between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump, including the November joint fact sheet outlining trade, investment, and security agreements.

➡️ During the talks, Cho reaffirmed Seoul's intent to contribute to restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Rubio stressed the importance of cooperating on Hormuz, following President Lee Jae Myung's statement on Friday that no troops would be dispatched in a way that could draw Seoul into an overseas conflict, while highlighting the need to protect South Korean citizens and national interests in the strait.

➡️ Rubio underscored the need for a fair, transparent, and equitable business environment for American companies in South Korea, the importance of securing supply chains for critical industries, and the swift execution of investment commitments from the joint fact sheet, spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a separate readout.

➡️ On North Korea, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the bilateral alliance and agreed to continue joint efforts for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy. Cho said Seoul would act as a "pacemaker" supporting the Trump administration's efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea. The minister and secretary agreed to maintain close cooperation on North Korea policy, including efforts for North Korea-U.S. dialogue, the ministry said.

Pigott added that both reaffirmed commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and the importance of trilateral cooperation with Japan for regional security.

➡️ Cho also met U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby during his stay in Washington. The two agreed to cooperate on alliance issues, including the ongoing transfer of wartime operational control to Seoul. Colby praised Seoul's efforts to increase defense spending and strengthen alliance capabilities, Cho added.

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