(LEAD) FM Cho heads to Washington for talks with Rubio on investment, Hormuz, N. Korea

This will let Google show Yonhap news articles that match or are related to your search

(ATTN: ADDS more info, comments in paras 12-15) By Oh Seok-min

SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun left for Washington on Thursday for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio that are expected to cover a range of pending issues, including bilateral economic and security arrangements, North Korea and the Middle East conflict.

Cho will make a three-day visit to Washington through Saturday, with his itinerary including a meeting with Rubio on Friday (U.S. time), according to the ministry.

"We will have in-depth discussions on various pending issues between the two nations, as well as consultations on issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, regional affairs and the international situation," Cho told reporters before departing from Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun speaks to reporters before departing from Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, for Washington on Sept. 17, 2026, to hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (Yonhap)

The meeting comes as Seoul and Washington have a number of outstanding issues on which the two sides have differing positions, including Seoul's role in securing the Strait of Hormuz and its U.S.-bound investment plans.

As the Donald Trump administration has pressured South Korea to contribute to efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway, the Seoul government has been weighing whether to deploy military assets to the region amid opposition at home and warnings from Iran.

"Our position remains that no decision has been made yet, and we are reviewing all relevant factors. In doing so, we will prioritize international cooperation while giving foremost consideration to the safety of our people and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," Cho said.

The two nations also have yet to finalize details of South Korea's investment commitments under a joint fact sheet adopted after last year's summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Trump.

Under the agreement, South Korea pledged to invest US$350 billion in the United States, including $150 billion for shipbuilding cooperation, in return for lower U.S. tariff rates. The deal also includes other security arrangements.

South Korea had initially been expected to announce its first investment project under the agreement this week, but the industry ministry has postponed a planned briefing to the National Assembly on Thursday for undisclosed reasons.

"I understand the delay is aimed at clarifying domestic procedural issues, rather than reflecting differences between the two nations," Cho said at the airport. "I will clearly explain what we can do, while maintaining a firm stance on issues that run counter to the national interest or our approach."

Potential projects reportedly include a large-scale gas-fired power plant in Texas and nuclear power plants.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands prior to their meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Manila in this file photo taken July 22, 2026, as the three countries' foreign chiefs hold a trilateral meeting on the sidelines of meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (Yonhap)

The two countries have also yet to make notable progress on security arrangements under the summit agreement.

They are discussing revisions to the Korea-U.S. nuclear energy agreement, known as the 123 Agreement, to allow South Korea to enrich uranium and reprocess spent fuel. A second round of security consultations, initially planned for July after the inaugural meeting in June, has yet to be scheduled.

South Korea is also seeking to accelerate the development of nuclear-powered submarines under the agreement.

During a parliamentary committee session Thursday, First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo told lawmakers that investment issues are "closely linked to security matters" and that Seoul is "making necessary requests to the U.S. side," while taking a comprehensive approach to negotiations on commercial cooperation.

North Korea is also expected to be high on the agenda.

Trump has expressed interest in reengaging with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year. Seoul has stressed the importance of close coordination with Washington in seeking the resumption of dialogue with Pyongyang and addressing its nuclear issues.

graceoh@yna.co.kr (END)

Trump says countries that have been 'no help' should reimburse U.S. when Iran war ends

(2nd LD) FM Cho tells Iran no decision made on possible Hormuz deployment during ministerial talks

(3rd LD) Top diplomats of S. Korea, U.S. stress 'close' communication on N. Korea's nuclear issue

Industry ministry's parliamentary briefing on U.S. investment project delayed: sources

Over 300 S. Korean workers challenging Trump gov't over last year's immigration raid in Georgia: CNN

(Movie Review) 'The Intern': charming leads shine in feel-good Korean remake with little edge

Seoul to hold 1st Central Asia summit, discuss critical minerals, supply chain cooperation

(LEAD) Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' wins Grand Jury Prize at Venice film fest

(2nd LD) Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love' wins Grand Jury Prize at Venice film fest

(News Focus) Lee Chang-dong: Korean maestro whose profound cinematic gaze captures human dignity

S. Korea, U.S. to hold high-level defense talks amid Hormuz deployment consideration

(3rd LD) N. Korea fires multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS

(2nd LD) Gender minister nominee withdraws from consideration amid mounting controversy

Up to 100,000 N.K. workers sent abroad, some involved in Russian drone production: report

USFK commander reaffirms commitment to 'conditions-based' OPCON transfer

N. Korea blasts S. Korea-U.S. defense talks on WMD response

N.K. leader's sister dismisses IAEA's denuclearization calls, reiterates nuclear status

(LEAD) S. Korean, Central Asian leaders agree to deepen cooperation in critical minerals, energy

N. Korea ordered to pay 44.6 bln won over liaison office demolition

N. Korea's defense delegation to int'l forum in Beijing

S. Korea-Jordan basketball match at Asian Games

Taekwondo Poomsae Championships

(LEAD) FM Cho heads to Washington for talks with Rubio on investment, Hormuz, N. Korea

这将使谷歌能够向您展示与您的搜索匹配或相关的韩联社新闻文章。

（注意：第12-15段补充更多信息和评论）作者：吴锡敏

首尔，9月17日（韩联社）——韩国外交部长赵显铉周四启程前往华盛顿，与美国国务卿马克·卢比奥举行会谈，预计会谈将涵盖一系列悬而未决的问题，包括双边经济和安全安排、朝鲜问题以及中东冲突。

据外交部消息，赵显龙将于周六前对华盛顿进行为期三天的访问，行程包括周五（美国时间）与卢比奥会面。

“我们将就两国之间悬而未决的各种问题进行深入讨论，并就朝鲜半岛问题、地区事务和国际形势进行磋商，”赵在离开首尔以西的仁川国际机场前告诉记者。

2026年9月17日，韩国外交部长赵显铉在首尔以西的仁川国际机场启程前往华盛顿，与美国国务卿马可·卢比奥举行会谈前，向记者发表讲话。（韩联社）

此次会晤正值首尔和华盛顿之间存在诸多悬而未决的问题，双方立场存在分歧，包括首尔在保障霍尔木兹海峡安全方面的作用及其对美投资计划。

由于唐纳德·特朗普政府向韩国施压，要求其为恢复这条战略水道的航行自由做出贡献，首尔政府一直在权衡是否向该地区部署军事力量，尽管国内反对声浪高涨，伊朗也发出警告。

“我们的立场仍然是尚未做出任何决定，我们正在审查所有相关因素。在此过程中，我们将优先考虑国际合作，同时将我国人民的安全和霍尔木兹海峡的航行自由放在首位，”赵立坚说。

两国尚未最终确定韩国在去年李在明总统和特朗普总统峰会后通过的联合情况说明书中作出的投资承诺的细节。

根据协议，韩国承诺向美国投资3500亿美元，其中包括1500亿美元用于造船合作，以换取美国降低关税。该协议还包括其他安全安排。

韩国原计划于本周宣布根据该协议推出的首个投资项目，但产业通商资源部以未公开的原因推迟了原定于周四向国会举行的简报会。

“我理解此次延误旨在澄清国内程序问题，而非反映两国之间的分歧，”赵立坚在机场表示。“我将清楚地解释我们能做什么，同时在涉及国家利​​益或我们方针的问题上保持坚定立场。”

据报道，潜在项目包括在德克萨斯州建设一座大型燃气发电厂和核电站。

这张摄于2026年7月22日的资料照片显示，韩国外长赵显铉（左）与美国国务卿马可·卢比奥在马尼拉会见日本外相茂木敏充之前握手。三国外长在东盟相关会议期间举行三方会晤。（韩联社）

两国在峰会协议规定的安全安排方面也尚未取得显著进展。

他们正在讨论修订韩美核能协议（即123协议），以允许韩国进行铀浓缩和乏燃料后处理。原计划在6月首次会晤后于7月举行的第二轮安全磋商尚未确定时间。

根据该协议，韩国也寻求加快核动力潜艇的研发。

周四，韩国第一副外长朴允珠在国会委员会会议上告诉议员们，投资问题“与安全问题密切相关”，首尔正在“向美方提出必要的要求”，同时对商业合作谈判采取全面方法。

预计朝鲜问题也将是此次会议的重要议题。

特朗普已表示有意在今年与朝鲜领导人金正恩重新接触。首尔方面强调，在寻求恢复与平壤的对话并解决其核问题方面，与华盛顿密切协调至关重要。

graceoh@yna.co.kr (完)

特朗普表示，那些“没有提供任何帮助”的国家应该在伊朗战争结束后向美国偿还费用。

（第二次）外交部长赵立坚告诉伊朗，在部长级会谈期间，尚未就霍尔木兹号潜艇部署问题做出决定。

（第三条）韩国和美国高级外交官强调就朝鲜核问题保持“密切”沟通

消息人士称，工业部关于美国投资项目的议会简报会推迟举行。

超过300名韩国工人就去年在佐治亚州的移民突袭事件向特朗普政府提出质疑：CNN

（影评）《实习生》：魅力十足的主演在这部轻松愉快的韩国翻拍片中大放异彩，影片略显平淡。

首尔将举办首届中亚峰会，讨论关键矿产和供应链合作等议题。

（导语）李沧东执导的《可能的爱》荣获威尼斯电影节评审团大奖

（第二条）李沧东执导的《可能的爱》荣获威尼斯电影节评审团大奖

（新闻焦点）李沧东：这位韩国电影大师以其深邃的电影视角捕捉人类尊严

韩国和美国将在考虑部署霍尔木兹号卫星系统之际举行高级别防务会谈

（第三份报告）朝鲜向东海发射多枚短程弹道导弹：联合参谋本部

（第二轮投票）性别平等部长提名人选因争议不断而退出竞选

据报道，多达10万名朝鲜工人被派往国外，其中一些人参与了俄罗斯无人机的生产。

驻韩美军司令重申对“基于条件”的作战控制权移交的承诺

朝鲜抨击韩美就大规模杀伤性武器应对措施举行的防务会谈

朝鲜领导人的妹妹驳斥国际原子能机构的无核化呼吁，重申朝鲜的核地位。

（导语）韩国和中亚领导人同意深化在关键矿产和能源领域的合作

朝鲜被勒令因拆除联络办公室赔偿446亿韩元

朝鲜国防代表团出席北京国际论坛

亚运会韩国对约旦篮球比赛

跆拳道品势锦标赛

（导语）赵外长前往华盛顿与卢比奥就投资、霍尔木兹海峡和朝鲜问题举行会谈。