Foreign Minister Cho Seeks US Congressional Support for Alliance Commitments

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met senior US lawmakers in Washington and urged Congress to support the swift implementation of commitments between the two allies, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry.

Cho held separate meetings Thursday with Republican Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio and Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks of New York. Jordan chairs the House Judiciary Committee, while Meeks is a senior Democratic voice on foreign affairs.

The meetings formed part of Cho’s three-day visit to the US capital, which began Thursday. His discussions covered bilateral relations, developments on the Korean Peninsula and wider regional and global security issues.

Cho said close coordination between Seoul and Washington had become more important amid rapidly changing international conditions. He asked the lawmakers to help ensure prompt implementation of the allies’ Joint Fact Sheet, released in November after a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump.

The document sets out a broad package of bilateral commitments. These include South Korea’s pledge to invest $350 billion in the United States in return for a lower US tariff rate, along with cooperation in the nuclear sector and on security matters. Implementation therefore requires sustained engagement not only between the two governments but also with lawmakers who influence spending, regulation and the broader political climate in Washington.

Hagerty praised South Korea’s efforts to deepen three-way cooperation with the United States and Japan. He also pledged continued support for the alliance and for Korean companies operating in Tennessee, where several South Korean businesses have invested in manufacturing and other operations.

Jordan emphasized managing bilateral issues through mutual trust and maintaining efforts to strengthen the alliance. Meeks called for closer Seoul-Washington coordination on peace and security and said Congress would continue to support bilateral cooperation on a bipartisan basis.

Cho said South Korea would keep strengthening the alliance through active communication with both the US administration and Congress. He also asked lawmakers to maintain their backing after the November midterm elections, underscoring Seoul’s interest in preserving policy continuity despite changes in the American political landscape.

The foreign minister was also scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. Further meetings with think tank experts and other officials were planned before his visit concludes Saturday.