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Foreign Minister Cho Hyun speaks during an interview at the foreign ministry headquarters in Seoul on October 1. / Source: Yonhap News

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul is pushing to announce the outcome of Korea-U.S. security negotiations before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit later this month, signaling that a defense agreement could precede progress on trade talks.

In an interview with Yonhap News on October 1, Cho said, “The security field has already reached a broad consensus. It would be ideal if the economic and security negotiations are concluded together as a package, but even if not, we are discussing with Washington ways to finalize and announce agreements one by one.” He added that the ministry hopes to produce a “breakthrough” before the APEC summit opens on October 31.

The remarks suggest that Seoul may separate security talks from trade negotiations, which have stalled over tariff issues tied to Korea’s proposed $350 billion U.S. investment fund. While Cho did not provide details, he noted that the defense talks would enable Korea “to strengthen our military capabilities in areas we need, in agreement with the United States.”

The security agenda is believed to include an increase in Korea’s defense spending, the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), and expanded purchases of U.S. weapons systems. Asked about the scale of a defense budget increase, Cho replied, “It will be raised to an appropriate level. Ultimately, it is something we must do to safeguard national security.” Washington has been pressing allies to spend around 3.5% of GDP on defense, and similar demands may be placed on Seoul.

Another sensitive issue is the possible revision of the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement to grant South Korea limited rights for uranium enrichment and spent-fuel reprocessing. Cho acknowledged the talks remain difficult, warning against domestic political rhetoric suggesting independent nuclear armament. “We must frame this strictly in terms of industrial and environmental considerations, not as a pathway to nuclear weapons,” he stressed. Asked whether nuclear provisions could be included in the APEC-timed announcement, Cho said, “That is possible.”

On the prospect of U.S.-North Korea dialogue resuming on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju, Cho said, “We cannot rule out the possibility that President Trump may meet Chairman Kim Jong-un if he comes. If that happens, our government will do all it can to help.” He added, “I hope such a meeting could become a path toward easing tensions and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.”