SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will travel to Washington from Thursday through Saturday for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Seoul convenes a National Security Council meeting to review options in response to U.S. demands for a contribution to security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The NSC review could give Cho a clearer position to take into his meeting with Rubio on Friday. The Foreign Ministry said Wednesday the two ministers would discuss bilateral relations, Korean Peninsula issues and a broad range of regional and global affairs.
The Hormuz issue is expected to loom large over the talks. Seoul has been weighing military and nonmilitary options after Washington repeatedly called on South Korea to help secure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.
A government assessment team returned from the United Arab Emirates last week after inspecting military facilities, ports, security conditions and logistical arrangements near the strait. The government has stressed that the mission was not conducted on the premise of a military deployment and that no final decision has been made.
Options under consideration include noncombat assets such as P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and explosive ordnance disposal personnel, as well as technical assistance, according to government discussions reported this week.
The government is expected to review the assessment at a National Security Council meeting Thursday as it works toward a more concrete position on South Korea's possible contribution.
Economic negotiations are also entering a critical stage.
South Korea pledged $350 billion in U.S. investments under its trade agreement with Washington, comprising $200 billion for strategic industries and $150 billion for shipbuilding.
Industry minister Kim Jung-kwan has been in Washington to discuss the composition and scale of individual projects.
Projects under discussion include a natural gas project in Texas, nuclear power plants and an Alaska gas pipeline. Washington has sought commitments that could exceed the $200 billion earmarked for strategic industries, while Seoul has been trying to keep the projects within that ceiling.
Cho and Rubio discussed both agendas during an Aug. 24 phone call.
The two ministers agreed to seek progress on tariffs and investment, shipbuilding and security cooperation, while Cho expressed South Korea's willingness to make a practical contribution to restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Foreign Ministry.
They also agreed to maintain close coordination on North Korea and efforts to resume dialogue on the Korean Peninsula.
AJP Takeaways
- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun heads to Washington as Seoul reviews options for contributing to security in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Thursday’s NSC meeting could shape South Korea’s position before Cho meets U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday.
- The talks will also cover South Korea’s $350 billion U.S. investment pledge, shipbuilding cooperation and coordination on North Korea.
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