U.S.: "ROK-U.S. foreign ministers agree to cooperate on civilian nuclear energy, nuclear-powered submarines, shipbuilding, and Korean investment in the U.S."

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed ways to strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance during their meeting, the State Department said.

In a press release on the outcome of the talks between the two foreign ministers held on the 3rd (local time) at the State Department headquarters in Washington, D.C., the department said the two ministers, in keeping with the spirit of the two leaders’ summits held last year, "discussed ways to advance the ROK-U.S. alliance with a focus on a forward-looking agenda."

The department said the two agreed to "work closely together on civilian nuclear energy, nuclear-powered submarines, shipbuilding, and expanding South Korea’s investment to rebuild critical U.S. industries." It added that "Secretary Rubio expressed appreciation for the important leadership role South Korea has demonstrated in building secure, resilient, and diversified critical mineral supply chains."

It also said they "reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea" and "underscored the importance of trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea to sustain regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific."

However, the State Department did not include in the release any details of discussions related to President Donald Trump’s plan, announced on the 26th of last month, to raise tariffs on South Korea.

Kim Soo-young, Hankyung.com reporter swimmingk@hankyung.com