Seoul envoy headed for US with deals, Hormuz on agenda

South Korea's top diplomat is scheduled to meet with his US counterpart in Washington this week, according to officials. The agenda includes billions in deals and a potential deployment to the Hormuz Strait. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is set to depart for a trip lasting until Saturday, including discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as per the South Korean foreign ministry.

South Korea has committed to investing $350 billion in the US under a deal struck last year to mitigate the impact of President Trump's tariffs. However, specific projects and final terms are still under negotiation. In addition to economic discussions, the two countries will also address regional and global issues during the meeting.

Seoul is currently evaluating the possibility of a military deployment to the strategically significant Hormuz Strait, a waterway that has become a focal point of tension between Iran and the US-Israel coalition. While the Trump administration has urged South Korea to contribute, Iran has cautioned Seoul against involvement in the region. The upcoming talks will explore a broad spectrum of topics, including South Korea-US relations, the Korean Peninsula, and other global concerns.