Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Hyun following the recent meeting between President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on August 25. The talks highlighted the continued importance of the U.S.–Republic of Korea (ROK) alliance, which has played a key role in maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region for over seven decades.
According to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, “The Secretary and Foreign Minister underscored the lasting strength of the U.S.–ROK Alliance, the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Indo-Pacific for more than 70 years. The Secretary said the United States welcomes ROK investment into the United States and stated his interest in deepening cooperation on this front.”
The two officials discussed ways to further develop their alliance by focusing on deterrence strategies in the Indo-Pacific, sharing defense responsibilities more equally, supporting American manufacturing through South Korean investment—particularly in shipbuilding and other critical industries—and fostering a balanced trade relationship. They also reiterated their commitment to addressing threats from North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
“The Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Cho discussed advancing the U.S.-ROK Alliance through a forward-looking agenda that strengthens deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, expands equitable defense burden sharing, revitalizes American manufacturing through ROK investment in shipbuilding and other strategic sectors, and promotes a fair and reciprocal trade partnership. They emphasized their shared commitment to addressing the destabilizing threats posed by North Korea’s unlawful nuclear and missile programs,” Pigott said.
