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Wi Sung-rak, chief of South Korea’s National Security Office, meets with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on June 24 in The Hague, Netherlands, while attending the NATO summit on behalf of President Lee Jae-myung. / Courtesy of the Presidential Office

Wi Sung-rak, chief of South Korea’s National Security Office, met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in The Hague on June 25 and shared views on the need to hold a South Korea–U.S. summit as soon as possible, according to the presidential office.

Wi attended the NATO summit on June 24–25 as President Lee Jae-myung’s representative.

“The two sides held broad discussions on how to further strengthen the successful alliance between South Korea and the United States, as well as on pressing bilateral and global issues,” the presidential office said. “They agreed to remain in close communication regarding the proposed summit.”

Wi also held a separate meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, who was part of the American delegation to the NATO summit. The two exchanged views on advancing the South Korea–U.S. alliance and other areas of mutual interest.

In addition, Wi met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, who represented Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the summit.

“The two sides exchanged views on international and regional affairs and agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan in response to geopolitical challenges including North Korea,” the presidential office added.

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Wi Sung-rak, chief of South Korea’s National Security Office, meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands. / Courtesy of the Presidential Office

Wi also held bilateral talks with Czech National Security Advisor Tomáš Pojar and Maarten Bof, foreign and defense advisor to the Dutch prime minister.

Wi and Pojar discussed the final contract for the Dukovany nuclear power plant and agreed to expand strategic cooperation into high-tech industries, infrastructure, energy, and defense based on the successful nuclear energy partnership.

In his meeting with Bof, Wi agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in advanced technology sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.