Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Thursday that South Korea will continue efforts to revive dialogue between North Korea and the United States, noting U.S. President Donald Trump's willingness to reengage with Pyongyang. Cho made the remarks in his keynote speech at the Seoul Diplomacy Forum 2026, hosted by the Korea National Diplomatic Academy under the theme of "Changing International Order and Global Governance."

According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho stated, "We will continue our diplomatic efforts to facilitate the resumption of the U.S.-DPRK dialogue," referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. He highlighted President Trump's continued interest in peace on the Korean Peninsula and his willingness to resume dialogue with the DPRK, as reflected in recent messages from Trump.

Last month, Trump expressed his intention to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year, while ordering the scaling back of a major South Korea-U.S. exercise, citing his "very good" relationship with Kim. Cho indicated that such dialogue is expected to pave the way for complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Cho also emphasized Seoul's efforts to improve direct ties with North Korea, noting the government's commitment to resuming inter-Korean dialogue despite a lack of response from Pyongyang. Furthermore, he underscored the need for South Korea to enhance its national capabilities to position itself as a key partner within its alliance and broader partnerships.

In terms of future goals, Cho mentioned, "We are working to modernize the alliance into a future-oriented, comprehensive partnership. We are expanding cooperation beyond traditional security into areas where Korea can make its own distinctive contribution, such as civilian nuclear activities, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and shipbuilding."