South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken convened on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru.
The discussion covered a wide range of pressing issues, including their bilateral partnership and the concerning developments in North Korea-Russia relations, the South Korean foreign ministry reported.
During their meeting in Lima, the two leaders expressed serious concerns over the strengthening military ties between North Korea and Russia. They emphasised that such collaboration poses significant threats not only to the Indo-Pacific region but also to European security.
Both sides agreed to work closely to counter the potential risks, especially in light of speculations that Russia might extend military aid to North Korea in exchange for troop deployments.
Blinken highlighted the enduring strength of bipartisan support for the South Korea-U.S. alliance. He reassured Cho that the alliance’s key achievements would transition seamlessly to the next U.S. administration. This underscores the commitment to maintaining stability and advancing shared goals between the two nations.
Cho also briefed Blinken on South Korea's initiatives to ensure the success of the upcoming United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution.
This significant international event is scheduled to take place in Busan, a prominent southeastern port city. Blinken expressed his support for Seoul’s efforts, signalling the shared commitment of both nations to addressing global environmental challenges.
The meeting in Peru followed a recent interaction between Cho and Blinken in Washington, D.C., where they participated in a “two plus two” dialogue alongside their respective defence counterparts.
These frequent exchanges underscore the depth of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and their shared resolve to address evolving geopolitical and environmental challenges.
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