1. On the morning of Thursday, January 23, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul held a phone conversation with Mr. Marco Rubio, newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State, and exchanged views on key issues, including ROK–U.S. relations, nuclear and other issues of North Korea, and the ROK-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation.

2. Minister Cho welcomed Secretary Rubio’s appointment and expressed his hope that the ROK–U.S. alliance, which has remained strong over the past 70 years, would be further developed under the new U.S. administration. Secretary Rubio underscored that the ROK–U.S. alliance is a linchpin for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. He further noted that his decision to speak with Minister Cho within 24 hours of taking office reflected the importance the ROK-U.S. alliance.

3. Minister Cho mentioned that the Korean government is stably managing overall state affairs under the acting authority system and will unwaveringly maintain its foreign and security policy stance founded on the ROK-U.S. alliance. He also underscored the importance of close communication between the two countries, including phone calls between Korea’s acting President and President Trump. Secretary Rubio agreed and pledged to make every effort on his part, proposing  further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

4. Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea. The Minister and the Secretary agreed to maintain close coordination on the North Korean nuclear issue.

5. In addition, the Minister and the Secretary agreed to further advance ROK–U.S.–Japan trilateral cooperation, which the first Trump administration placed great importance on, and to continue consultations on the matter.

6. Secretary Rubio extended to Minister Cho an invitation to visit Washington, D.C., for further discussions on concrete ways to enhance ROK–U.S. cooperation. Both sides agreed to fine-tune the timing of the visit with a view to holding a bilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in Washington at the earliest mutually convenient date.