U.S. and South Korea Reaffirm Cooperation on Nuclear Power and Shipbuilding Amid Trade Tensions
During talks in Washington on February 3, South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to enhance cooperation on civil nuclear power, nuclear-powered submarines, and shipbuilding.
They reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea amid increasing nuclear threats from Pyongyang. The discussions included strategies to advance the U.S.-ROK Alliance and address trade issues, particularly U.S.
President Trump's threat to raise reciprocal tariffs on South Korean goods. Under a separate trade deal, South Korea pledged to invest $350 billion in the U.S. in exchange for reduced tariffs. Cho also emphasized South Korea's role in critical minerals supply chains, and both officials highlighted the importance of trilateral cooperation with Japan for regional stability. Cho plans to attend a Critical Minerals Ministerial hosted by Rubio to further these initiatives.
