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The U.S. and South Korea agreed to maintain close coordination on North Korea’s nuclear program and efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula during a phone call between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
The call took place Monday, according to Yonhap News Agency, citing the ministry.
“The minister and secretary agreed to continue close communication and cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. for peace on the Korean Peninsula and the resolution of North Korea’s nuclear issue while maintaining a solid combined defense posture,” the ministry said.
Neither Seoul’s statement nor a separate U.S. State Department readout explicitly mentioned reaffirming a commitment to North Korea’s denuclearization.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio emphasized the need for the two allies to “remain in close coordination on matters that are integral to the alliance.”
Cho said South Korea would work to ensure that U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent message to North Korea helps restart dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang and advances peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Trump said last week that he expects to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is seeking a meeting with Kim that could take place during his next trip to Asia, possibly around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, in November.
Rubio and Cho also agreed to work together to further strengthen bilateral relations by seeking “mutually beneficial” outcomes on pending issues, including tariffs, an investment agreement and security cooperation.
Rubio also briefed Cho on Washington’s efforts to restore peace and stability in the Middle East.
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