Munich: The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States agreed Saturday to work closely together on North Korea policy under the Donald Trump administration, reaffirming the commitment to the "complete denuclearization" of the North.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached the agreement during their 40-minute talks held on the margins of the Munich Security Conference in Germany. This meeting marked their first one-on-one interaction since the commencement of Trump's second term. South Korea's foreign ministry stated that the two ministers agreed to closely cooperate in the formulation and implementation of North Korea policies in the future.
The discussions also addressed concerns about military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, with both parties agreeing to continue monitoring the situation. The meeting comes as South Korea seeks to ensure a smooth relationship with the Trump administration on issues such as the bilateral alliance, North Korean threats, and Trump's tariff plans.
On tariff issues, Cho advocated for "mutually beneficial solutions" and expressed South Korea's commitment to resolving them through close bilateral consultations with the U.S. Rubio responded by stating he will communicate Seoul's position to Washington, suggesting further discussions between the two governments.
Trump's plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, alongside potential tariffs on cars and chips, have heightened the need for coordination with Washington. Rubio reportedly asked for Seoul's cooperation in shipbuilding, energy, and other sectors, with Cho showing willingness to cooperate.
The meeting also addressed the aftermath of a martial law attempt by now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol in December, with Rubio emphasizing the importance of maintaining stable relations despite domestic political situations.
The issue of North Korea's denuclearization gained attention after Trump and his officials referred to Pyongyang as a "nuclear power," sparking debate in Seoul. Trump later reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearization at a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Following the talks, Cho will join Rubio and Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya for a trilateral meeting to underscore the importance of advancing three-way cooperation. Cho's visit to Munich marks his first overseas trip since the martial law incident.