How Can Rubio Help Expedite the Joint Summit Fact Sheet Release?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Cho Hyun urged Marco Rubio for expedited release of the joint summit fact sheet.
- The document includes agreements on trade, security, and nuclear submarine fuel supplies.
- Delays may be due to coordination issues within US agencies.
- Cho discussed bilateral ties with other G7 nations.
- Emphasis on maritime order and international law during the G7 meeting.
Seoul, Nov 13 (NationPress) South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has requested US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to assist in hastening the anticipated release of a joint summit document on trade and security, according to Seoul's foreign ministry on Thursday, amid a prolonged delay in the announcement.
Cho made his request during a brief meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers' assembly in Canada, as both Seoul and Washington have yet to disclose their joint fact sheet summarizing the outcomes of the recent summit talks held on October 29 between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump.
The joint fact sheet is intended to detail the agreements reached by the two leaders, including Seoul's initiative to secure fuel supplies for nuclear-powered submarines and South Korea's USD 350 billion investment commitment in return for the US reducing tariffs on South Korean goods from 25% to 15%, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Officials in Seoul have indicated that the delay may be due to incomplete coordination among relevant US agencies regarding security issues, particularly concerning the nuclear submarine matter.
Interest has been piqued regarding whether the two parties will meet, presenting an opportunity to discuss the release of the joint fact sheet.
Cho urged Rubio to make "special efforts" to ensure a quick release of the joint document so that the agreed measures can be implemented, as stated by the foreign ministry in a message to reporters.
Secretary Rubio expressed his commitment to actively coordinate with relevant US agencies to facilitate the swift release of the joint fact sheet, according to the ministry.
Both Cho and Rubio participated in the two-day gathering in the Niagara Region, Ontario, which began on Tuesday (local time), where South Korea was invited as a guest nation alongside Brazil, India, and others.
During the multilateral meeting, Cho engaged in separate bilateral discussions with counterparts from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the European Union (EU), and Germany, addressing bilateral relationships, economic cooperation, and the regional and global geopolitical landscape, as noted by the ministry.
In his meetings with German and EU officials, Cho emphasized Seoul's peace initiative aimed at reducing inter-Korean tensions and sought their support for denuclearization efforts on the Korean Peninsula.
Cho also took part in two extended G7 ministerial sessions focused on maritime and energy security, as well as critical minerals.
He underscored the significance of maintaining maritime order in accordance with international law and called for enhanced collaboration in implementing relevant laws to safeguard vital maritime infrastructure, such as undersea cables.