Washington: South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Friday reiterated Seoul's willingness to contribute "substantively" to efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department.

According to Anadolu Agency, Cho emphasized the need for close communication on the issue during his discussions with Rubio. This statement comes in the wake of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's decision against deploying combat troops to the Strait of Hormuz, despite Washington's pressure, as Seoul considers alternative contributions to the navigation efforts.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the bilateral alliance, with an agreement to persist in efforts towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, aiming to promote peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy. Cho also expressed South Korea's intention to act as a peacemaker, supporting the Trump administration's initiatives to resume dialogue with North Korea.

The ministry stated that Cho and Rubio agreed to maintain close communication and cooperation on North Korea policy, including efforts to facilitate North Korea-U.S. dialogue. Additionally, Cho urged Rubio to collaborate on ensuring that ongoing consultations regarding South Korea's strategic investment projects in the US yield positive outcomes. Under last year's bilateral trade deal, Seoul committed to investing $350 billion in the US.

Rubio assured that the State Department would strive for successful consultations, with State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott highlighting both nations' commitment to collaboration across key strategic sectors, such as semiconductors. Rubio reiterated the significance of securing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and emphasized the need for a fair, transparent, and equitable business environment for American companies in the Republic of Korea.

He further stressed the importance of securing supply chains for key industries. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearization and underscored the critical nature of US-Japan-South Korea cooperation in regional security, Pigott added.