Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul yesterday, reaffirming the United States' commitment to defending South Korea and advancing the alliance through modernization efforts. The two leaders discussed a range of key issues, including extended deterrence, economic cooperation, and shared security concerns.
The Secretary and Foreign Minister Cho emphasized the importance of upholding the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, with Secretary Pompeo reiterating the United States' unwavering commitment to providing robust military capabilities to safeguard South Korea. They also agreed to strengthen their alliance by pursuing common economic goals and national security objectives, building on trade consultations led by Ambassador Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Greer.
In a bid to enhance mutual trust and cooperation, Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Cho pledged to work together in response to emerging regional threats. By strengthening the alliance, both sides aim to promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
The meeting between the two leaders is seen as a significant step forward for U.S.-ROK relations, underscoring the importance of close cooperation on defense, trade, and security matters.