Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that South Korea is willing to make a substantive contribution to restoring free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said on the 18th. The meeting in Washington was the first between the countries’ foreign ministers in seven months, since February. Cho praised the active leadership of U.S. President Donald Trump and the United States in addressing Middle East issues, while Rubio briefed him on developments involving Iran and U.S. efforts to restore regional peace and stability. The two sides agreed to work toward a positive outcome in consultations on strategic investment in the United States and to maintain communication on implementing agreements between the two presidents, including the 2025 Joint Fact Sheet. The State Department pressed for prompt implementation of the investments and said the ministers affirmed cooperation in strategic sectors including semiconductors. They also discussed a transparent and level business environment for American companies in South Korea, with a senior South Korean official saying Cho described actions involving Coupang as legitimate law enforcement and rejected any targeting of U.S. companies. Rubio said Washington would coordinate closely with Seoul if dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang advances, while confirming that there had been no progress so far.