Seoul ready to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz — Jerusalem Post
In Washington, United States, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Seoul is ready to make a substantial contribution to restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. This was reported by the Jerusalem Post, citing South Korea’s Foreign Ministry.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday that he would not deploy military forces to the Middle East in a way that could draw the country into the conflict. At the same time, he said that Seoul is considering strengthening its role in ensuring maritime security in the region.
Investment and trade agreement
During the talks, Rubio stressed the need to implement South Korea’s commitments on investment in the United States as soon as possible, the State Department said. According to South Korea’s Foreign Ministry, the sides agreed to stay in contact so that consultations on the investment plans would produce results.
The matter concerns $350 billion in South Korean investment in U.S. manufacturing, which Seoul pledged as part of a trade agreement concluded last year. Under the arrangement, the United States was to reduce tariffs on imports from South Korea to 15%.
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According to Lee Jae Myung, negotiations were delayed over the issue of the commercial viability of the investment package, although the sides are nearing an agreement. Rubio and Cho also reaffirmed their intention to continue cooperation in strategic sectors, including semiconductors.
North Korean issue
Rubio and Cho Hyun also reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. South Korea’s foreign minister said that Seoul would actively support the resumption of talks between Washington and Pyongyang.
Lee Jae Myung suggested that a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could take place in the coming months, but noted that it remains uncertain.
