Washington: The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and the enforcement of sanctions during talks in Washington, a State Department spokesperson said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held their first meeting since the launch of the Lee Jae Myung administration, addressing cooperation issues, including preparations for a summit between President Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump. Their discussion followed Trump's announcement of a trade deal with Korea and a forthcoming summit at the White House.

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that both diplomats expressed serious concerns about North Korea's military cooperation with Russia and reiterated their commitment to denuclearization and sanctions. The talks emphasized the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance, described as a linchpin of peace and security in the region.

The meeting came shortly after Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, dismissed the possibility of denuclearization talks despite acknowledging the personal rapport between Trump and Kim. Cho and Rubio highlighted their mutual goal of strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance through a robust defense posture and extended deterrence measures.

The diplomats welcomed the recent trade deal and President Lee's upcoming visit to Washington. Discussions also covered advancing trilateral cooperation with Japan and enhancing shared prosperity through supply chains and technology collaboration. Bruce noted the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait for international security.