By Diplomacy Journal Kim Ji-eun

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul received U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip S. Goldberg and exchanged views on the ROK-U.S. alliance, U.S.-Japan cooperation, North Korea and North Korean nuclear issues, and ways to cooperate at the regional and global levels on Jan. 30.

Minister Cho assessed that the global comprehensive strategic alliance between the United States and South Korea has been strengthened to an unprecedented level in the wake of the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US Alliance last year, and expressed his desire to continue the trend of the alliance's development this year. 

He also noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the ROK-U.S.-Japan Summit, and he looks forward to further strengthening trilateral cooperation based on the agreements reached at last year's Camp David Summit.

Ambassador Goldberg congratulated Minister Cho on his appointment and noted that last year's 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK alliance was marked by historic achievements such as the state visits of our leaders to the United States and the Camp David Summit. 

Ambassador Goldberg also credited the political determination of President Yoon Suk-yeol to strengthen U.S.-ROK cooperation based on improved bilateral relations, and looked forward to continuing to strengthen U.S.-ROK cooperation in the future.

Minister Cho and Ambassador Goldberg expressed their deep regret that North Korea has continued to escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the region with its belligerent rhetoric and provocations while refusing to engage in dialogue, and agreed on the need to continue to contain the North Korean threat and respond to provocations in a unified manner based on close U.S.-ROK cooperation and a joint defense posture, with China playing a constructive role. 

They also agreed that military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a violation of international norms and a serious threat to global peace and stability, and that the United States and South Korea will continue to deal with it strictly in coordination with the international community.

Minister Cho said that he would like to actively promote "economic and security convergence diplomacy" and "diplomacy in the G7 plus era," and hoped that the two countries would work more closely together in these areas.

Ambassador Goldberg noted that South Korea's role is becoming increasingly important as the international community faces a number of challenges, and that the United States strongly supports South Korea's active contributions to the international community as a global pivotal nation.

Meanwhile, Minister Cho said that Ambassador Goldberg was one of the first ambassadors to meet with him after taking office, which reflects the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance, and asked him to continue to work for the development of the alliance in this year, which marks the beginning of a new 70th year of the alliance.