Synopsis
South Korea and the United States are negotiating a meeting between their top diplomats in Washington, a significant event if confirmed, marking the first such interaction since the Trump administration began. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul's potential visit could also coincide with major international conferences in Germany and South Africa.Key Takeaways
- Negotiations for a high-level meeting between South Korea and the US are underway.
- Cho Tae-yul may visit Washington next week for discussions with Marco Rubio.
- The Munich Security Conference and G20 meeting are upcoming events for Cho.
- This will be Cho's first overseas trip after recent political turmoil.
- Key issues to be addressed include bilateral relations and North Korean threats.
Seoul, Feb 4 (NationPress) South Korea is currently engaged in discussions with the United States to organize a meeting between their top diplomats in Washington, which could occur soon, as stated by Seoul's foreign ministry on Tuesday. If this meeting is confirmed, it would mark the first diplomatic engagement since the commencement of the Donald Trump administration.
The ministry's statement follows increasing speculation that Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul may journey to the US capital next week for a one-on-one meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.
During their phone call last month, both sides expressed their intention to finalize the details for a face-to-face meeting at the earliest opportunity.
"The foreign ministry is currently coordinating with the US to arrange a foreign ministers' meeting as swiftly as possible," stated ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong during a press briefing.
It is anticipated that Cho will visit Washington next week, preceding his potential trips to Germany and South Africa for two distinct multilateral gatherings scheduled later this month, as disclosed by a diplomatic source.
The Munich Security Conference is set to take place in Germany from February 14-16, while South Africa will host a foreign ministers' meeting for the Group of 20 (G20) nations in Johannesburg from February 20-21.
"We are favorably considering the minister's participation in both events," said a source. "We are preparing with the possibility that the talks with Rubio could occur before the Munich conference."
If these trips materialize, they will represent Cho's first international journeys following the political upheaval caused by President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief martial law and subsequent impeachment.
Under the temporary guidance of Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, South Korea is striving to reassure other nations of its unwavering commitment and diplomatic proficiency despite ongoing political turmoil.
In discussions with his new US counterpart, Cho is expected to address a variety of matters, including the bilateral alliance, threats from North Korea, and significant economic topics impacting South Korean businesses, particularly in the context of Trump's policies.
In Washington, Cho may also have the opportunity to meet with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
Furthermore, Cho could leverage the Munich and G20 sessions to emphasize the nation’s dedication to crucial international matters and reaffirm its diplomatic stature.
"By actively engaging in these meetings, we can showcase that we continue to operate effectively even under the acting leadership framework," another source remarked.
