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SEOUL, May 6 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Wednesday that South Korea will continue to develop its alliance with the United States as the cornerstone of its foreign and security policy amid concerns about a potential rift between the two nations over key issues.
Cho made the remarks in a keynote speech, read by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina at a policy forum at the National Assembly in Seoul.
"While there have been various speculations and concerns over South Korea-U.S. relations in recent months, I believe they stem from a deep sense of concern and attachment to the alliance," Cho said.
"We will accommodate diverse views in a balanced manner, manage pending issues through close and frequent communication based on mutual respect, and further strengthen trust and friendship in accordance with common sense and principles," he added.
Cho also stressed Seoul's efforts to take a more proactive role in the defense of the Korean Peninsula, including strengthening advanced defense capabilities, pursuing the construction of nuclear-powered submarines and advancing the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON).
Based on the alliance, South Korea will continue to strengthen trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan, while also developing trilateral cooperation among South Korea, China and Japan, Cho added.
Signs of a potential rift between Seoul and Washington have emerged after the U.S. restricted intelligence sharing on North Korea, citing what it sees as a leak of classified information on a uranium enrichment facility in Kusong by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young.
The two sides have also been at odds over what some in the U.S. claim is unfair treatment of e-commerce giant Coupang, which has come under investigation in Seoul over a massive data breach.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun holds a meeting with CEOs of major domestic petrochemical companies in Seoul on April 17, 2026, as they face naphtha supply disruptions amid the Middle East conflict, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
On North Korea, the minister called for a phased approach to addressing Pyongyang's nuclear and missile capabilities through dialogue.
"However difficult it may be, we will continue diplomatic efforts to pursue a phased approach aimed at halting, reducing and ultimately dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear and missile capabilities," Cho said.
"At a time when challenges to the international order persist and inter-Korean dialogue has been stalled for years, communication to prevent accidental clashes or minor misunderstandings from escalating into tensions is more important than ever," he added.
Amid mounting challenges and uncertainties stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Cho pledged all-out efforts to build global economic networks, including seeking to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), in order to diversify markets and minimize trade uncertainty.
"We will first expand cooperation with regional hub countries such as India, Brazil and Indonesia," the minister said.
graceoh@yna.co.kr
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