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Foreign Minister Cho Hyun answers lawmakers' questions during a comprehensive parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Unification and other agencies by the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on Oct. 27. On the left is Unification Minister Chung Dong-young. / Photo by Lee Byung-hwa

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Oct. 27 dismissed claims of cracks in the South Korea-U.S. alliance stemming from issues including bilateral intelligence cooperation, saying, "It is utterly absurd to suggest that South Korea-U.S. relations have collapsed." He also said he would directly raise the issue of a delayed U.S. visa for Rep. Jung Chung-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit to the United States.

Cho made the remarks during a comprehensive parliamentary audit by the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee that day, responding to concerns about continued signs of strain in South Korea-U.S. relations. "There may be minor disagreements," he said, but rejected claims that bilateral relations had broken down.

Regarding recent remarks by U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Park Steel, who compared South Korea-U.S. relations to "turbulence," Cho said, "I had breakfast with Ambassador Steel yesterday and told her that when passing through turbulence, there is no problem as long as you fasten your seat belt securely. She agreed."

Addressing the delay in issuing Jung's visa, Cho responded to a ruling party lawmaker's suggestion that senior U.S. State Department officials might be unaware of the case. "As it happens, I am scheduled to visit the United States on the 29th and meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio," he said. "I will raise the issue then as well."

Meanwhile, Cho is scheduled to visit Atlanta, United States, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 to attend a Group of 20 (G20) foreign ministers' meeting. Arrangements are also underway for a meeting with Rubio during his visit.

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol