Seoul affirms intent to help with Strait of Hormuz free passage, US investment pledges
US President Donald Trump has criticized Seoul in recent weeks over what he described as a lack of South Korean support for US efforts to pressure Iran.
South Korea assured its commitment to contributing significantly to the restoration of unobstructed passage through the Middle East's Strait of Hormuz, a topic discussed during Friday meetings between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, according to a ministry statement released on Saturday.
President Lee Jae Myung, who is scheduled to visit the United States next week for the UN General Assembly, stated that Seoul would not deploy military assets to the Middle East that could potentially lead to conflict, but he affirmed that the country was evaluating a more extensive role in ensuring safe navigation in the region.
US President Donald Trump has recently criticized South Korea for allegedly lacking support for US efforts to exert pressure on Iran. The two nations are yet to finalize arrangements regarding $350 billion in South Korean investments pledged under a trade agreement concluded last year. Cho explained Seoul's readiness to make a substantial contribution to freeing navigation in the Strait of Hormuz during talks with Rubio, though the ministry provided no further details.
Rubio emphasized the importance of swiftly executing South Korea's investment commitments, while the South Korean Foreign Ministry stated that both Rubio and Cho agreed to maintain regular communication to ensure that ongoing consultation plans yield positive results.
Rubio and Cho also pledged sustained collaboration in crucial strategic sectors, including semiconductors, as reported by the State Department. They underlined the necessity of a fair and transparent business environment for US companies operating in South Korea. Cho mentioned before departing Seoul on Thursday that investment plans under the trade deal had been postponed while procedural issues were addressed, although he did not offer further information.
During a news conference on Friday, Lee acknowledged concerns regarding the commercial feasibility of the package as a stumbling block in negotiations, but the two sides were close to reaching an agreement. He noted that certain aspects of the package were challenging for Seoul to accept, but the government would continue discussions to ensure the deal safeguards South Korea's interests while benefiting both countries and the broader US-South Korea relationship.
The talks also touched upon North Korea, with speculation surrounding a potential summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Rubio and Cho reiterated their dedication to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, according to the State Department, and Cho expressed South Korea's willingness to actively support the resumption of negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang, as reported by the ministry.
President Lee suggested during a news conference on Friday that a meeting between Kim and Trump might occur in the coming months, though the possibility remained uncertain.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
