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Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, far left, answers questions from People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Yong-won during an interpellation session on foreign affairs, unification and security at the National Assembly on Sept. 10. / Lee Byung-hwa

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Sept. 10 that the Korea-US alliance remains fundamentally strong despite concerns over a growing rift between the two countries, adding that he plans to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later this month.

Speaking during an interpellation session at the National Assembly, Cho said, “Even in a strong alliance, differences of opinion can arise, but the government has worked closely with the United States to resolve them.”

Concerns have recently emerged that the Korea-US alliance could be under strain as US President Donald Trump continues to pressure Seoul over a possible deployment to help secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and over investment in the United States.

Negotiations between Seoul and Washington over the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines and issues related to nuclear enrichment and reprocessing have also remained stalled since talks were held in June.

Addressing concerns over cracks in the alliance, Cho said, “Even if there are such views, these issues can be sufficiently resolved through consultation.” He added that Korea-US foreign ministers’ meetings have continued to take place and that another one is planned within this month.

Cho and Rubio agreed during a phone call late last month to hold face-to-face talks at an early date, but scheduling was reportedly delayed due to flooding in Nepal and Cho’s participation in President Lee Jae-myung’s trip to France. Cho is reportedly coordinating plans to visit Washington in person to meet Rubio and discuss a range of pending bilateral issues.

During the interpellation session, some lawmakers also argued that stalled inter-Korean relations should be improved by using US-North Korea relations as a potential breakthrough.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said, “It has been seven years since all contact and communication with North Korea were cut off, and the situation is extremely dangerous.” He added that with North Korea having restored its two alliances with China and Russia, promises of greater economic benefits alone would not be enough to recreate what he described as the “golden age” of inter-Korean relations under previous liberal administrations.

Chung said, “We should actively and proactively use the phase in which President Trump is seeking to restart US-North Korea talks.”

The government also reaffirmed that no specific decision has yet been made regarding a possible deployment related to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said the issue remains under comprehensive review at the national level.

Cho disclosed that President Lee and French President Emmanuel Macron had discussed possible contributions to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but declined to provide details, saying the matter was being handled sensitively.

Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee said, “No decision has yet been made to prepare a motion seeking National Assembly approval for a troop deployment.” He added that although an assessment team had visited the region, the trip was intended to evaluate and review the overall situation rather than being based on the assumption that a deployment would take place.

Lee also strongly agreed on the need for an expedited transfer of wartime operational control. Asked whether he supported a rapid OPCON transfer, Lee said, “I fully agree,” adding that the government is working to complete verification of Full Operational Capability, or FOC, at this year’s Security Consultative Meeting under the ongoing sovereignty-based OPCON transition plan.

                                                                                                          Mok Yong-jae