During his visit to the United States to attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun held an ROK-U.S. foreign ministers’ meeting with U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 3, local time. The two sides exchanged views on the implementation of the Joint Fact Sheet (JFS) of the ROK-U.S. Summit, issues related to the DPRK, and regional and global developments.

Minister Cho recalled Secretary Rubio’s contribution in the process of finalizing the text of the JFS and suggested that both sides move swiftly and substantively forward to implement the commitments therein. In particular, he requested that Secretary Rubio play a leading role in ensuring that cooperation in key areas, including nuclear energy, nuclear-powered submarines, and shipbuilding, yields tangible results within this year based on concrete milestones. Secretary Rubio replied that he would continue to play a role as needed and, in particular, encourage relevant government agencies to commence substantive discussions at the earliest possible date.

Minister Cho explained the ROK’s domestic efforts to implement the ROK-U.S. tariff deal and investment commitments to the U.S. and suggested that the ROK Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department continue to work together to support smooth communication and consultations between relevant authorities. The two sides agreed to make efforts to further boost the positive momentum by managing the situation in a stable manner and faithfully implementing the agreements in the security domain.

The two sides also agreed to continue close communication and coordination on DPRK issues. Minister Cho explained the ROK government’s efforts to ease inter-Korean tensions and to build trust. He went on to suggest that the two sides continue to convey to the DPRK a message of openness to dialogue so as to encourage its return to the negotiating table. In addition, Minister Cho explained the ROK’s efforts to advance friendly and cooperative relations with its neighboring countries, including the President’s visits to China and Japan early this year, on the foundation of the steadfast ROK-U.S. alliance. In response, Secretary Rubio commended the ROK for its efforts to ease tensions and to promote cooperation in the region.

This ROK-U.S. foreign ministers’ meeting, held three months after the release of the JFS last November, served as an opportunity to maintain high-level exchanges between the two countries following the Prime Minister’s visit to the U.S. last month, and to reaffirm their shared commitment to accelerate the implementation of the follow-up measures to the ROK-U.S. Summit.