Donald Trump's second administration launched, with the diplomatic heads of South Korea and the United States meeting for the first time to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the alliance and cooperating on North Korea.
Minister Choi Tae-young of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a 40-minute meeting at the Bayerischer Hof hotel in Munich, Germany, where the Munich Security Conference (MSC) was taking place on the 15th (local time), discussing key issues including the South Korea-U.S. alliance, the North Korean nuclear issue, and economic cooperation.
The two sides agreed on the goal of developing the South Korea-U.S. alliance and achieving the 'complete denuclearization of North Korea' under the Trump administration, pledging close cooperation on the North Korean nuclear issue.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that both ministers agreed to work closely together in formulating and implementing future North Korea policies while maintaining the goal of complete denuclearization of North Korea.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the meeting noted, 'We discussed the North Korean nuclear issue quite extensively' and said, '(The United States) promised complete denuclearization and close consultation with South Korea.'
This is interpreted as meaning that the Trump administration intends to coordinate with South Korea as it formulates North Korea policies and attempts to engage in dialogue with North Korea.
During the meeting, there were reports of sharing trends regarding illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including the deployment of North Korean troops, and both sides agreed on the need to respond together.
The issue of imposing tariffs was also raised. Minister Choi requested that the United States consider South Korea's position regarding the tariff imposition and sought cooperation, to which Minister Rubio reportedly responded, 'I will convey this well to the relevant department.'
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, '(The tariff issue) is something that the U.S. side is currently beginning to start and review' and added that '(They) expect continued consultations between South Korea and the United States.'
The U.S. side asked for South Korea's active cooperation on issues related to shipbuilding, energy, and other matters, and it was reported that South Korea responded positively.
The issue of defense cost-sharing for U.S. forces in South Korea was reportedly not raised at this meeting. During the meeting, there were requests made to Minister Rubio's side regarding cooperation related to the high-level conversation between the South Korean and U.S. leaders that has yet to take place.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remarked, 'It is important to continue cooperating with policy continuity regardless of domestic circumstances in both countries and to maintain a relationship of trust.'
However, as the two ministers met to attend the Munich Security Conference, they were unable to engage in in-depth discussions. Given that this was their first face-to-face meeting, it holds significance in that they built a bond and laid the groundwork for future South Korea-U.S. communication.