According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here, the two discussed various issues including the bilateral alliance between South Korea and the U.S, as well as trilateral cooperation with Japan.
Cho expressed hopes for the continued strong alliance with Washington under the new U.S. administration, following the inauguration of Donald Trump on Monday.
The State Department said Cho and Rubio discussed enhancing cooperation between the two countries "to address common challenges in the Indo-Pacific region" and "the critical importance of furthering trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and [South Korea]."
Rubio said that he called Cho within just 24 hours of assuming his duties, stressing the importance he places on bilateral relations between the two countries. He also reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad" defense commitment to Seoul.
The two also agreed to closely cooperate on North Korea's nuclear issues. However, there are concerns about diplomatic uncertainty, as a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S., who met for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or "Quad" in Washington on Tuesday, did not include the regular fixture of "the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," suggesting possible changes in U.S. policy toward North Korea.
The two wrapped up their telephone conversation with Rubio inviting Cho to visit Washington for further talks.
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