Seoul: South Korea and the United States are in the process of coordinating a potential visit by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to Washington, where he is expected to hold discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The talks will focus on North Korea and other significant bilateral issues, officials announced.

According to Yonhap News Agency, during a recent phone call, Cho and Rubio agreed to meet "face-to-face in the near future." They aim to maintain close communication and cooperation to advance on critical issues like economic cooperation, North Korean nuclear matters, and the Middle East crisis, as per Seoul's foreign ministry. An official from the ministry noted the urgency of the meeting despite the busy schedules of both ministers, emphasizing the need for substantive discussions to progress on pending issues.

The upcoming U.N. General Assembly could serve as a venue for discussions between the two diplomats, with its 81st high-level week slated to occur from September 18-28 in New York. This gathering may also facilitate a meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump. However, South Korean officials are planning an earlier visit to another location to meet Rubio before the New York event, with hopes of scheduling it soon.

The two countries are addressing various pending issues outlined in a joint fact sheet from last year's summit between Lee and Trump. These include South Korea's $350 billion investment commitments in the U.S. and security matters. Discussions are ongoing regarding revisions to the Korea-U.S. nuclear energy agreement, known as the 123 Agreement, and Seoul's aspirations to develop nuclear-powered submarines.

Amid these discussions, there is uncertainty surrounding the future direction of U.S. policy toward North Korea. Trump has shown interest in reengaging with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, raising questions about the administration's commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea. Seoul has highlighted the importance of close coordination with Washington to resume dialogue with Pyongyang and address its nuclear issues.