By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac, who is visiting the United States, held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C. on July 7 (local time) to discuss current issues in South Korea-U.S. relations, the Presidential Office announced.

At the meeting, South Korea emphasized the need for the two countries to consult on current issues between them and develop their alliance further based on the spirit of alliance, and expressed its hope that the South Korean and U.S. national security advisors would work closely together to achieve this goal.

In addition, South Korea emphasized its hope that “a summit meeting between South Korea and the U.S. would be held as soon as possible to advance mutually beneficial results on all current issues.”

The U.S. side expressed its agreement, according to the Presidential Office.

In particular, the U.S. side mentioned, “Although tariff letters targeting major countries, including South Korea, were sent today, there is still time until the actual tariff imposition date of August 1, so we hope that the two countries will communicate closely to reach an agreement before then,” according to the Presidential Office.

Meanwhile, the South Korean side emphasized that the new administration's practical diplomacy is based on the solid ROK-U.S. alliance and expressed its intention to continue to work closely to ensure that the 70-year-old ROK-U.S. alliance remains strong even amid changing security circumstances.

Additionally, regarding cooperation in the shipbuilding sector, both sides agreed to closely coordinate in this area, as mobilizing capabilities across various sectors, including government and industry, is key to deriving practical and mutually beneficial cooperation measures.

The Presidential Office stated, “The South Korean and U.S. sides evaluated the usefulness of the security chiefs' consultations and agreed to continue to closely communicate on pending issues between South Korea and the U.S. and the future direction of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.”