South Korea's Cho Hyun to Meet Rubio in Washington as Investment and Hormuz Talks Intensify

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will travel to Washington from Thursday to Saturday for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, Seoul's foreign ministry said. The two diplomats are expected to consult on a broad set of issues, including the bilateral relationship, Korean Peninsula affairs and regional and global developments.

The meeting comes as the two allies work to settle the terms of a $350 billion South Korean investment commitment made under a trade deal reached last year. Under the agreement signed by US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung last October, Seoul pledged the investments in exchange for a US cap of 15% on tariffs on Korean imports.

South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said on Sunday that Seoul hoped to finalise an investment agreement with Washington and announce it this week, while noting that several issues remained unresolved. The government has asked to postpone a briefing scheduled for Thursday before a parliamentary committee on the investment plans, the industry ministry said. Lawmakers had expected the briefing to be one of the last steps before the two sides set terms, and the delay raises questions about the timing of any deal. A ruling party lawmaker said on Tuesday that Trump was expected to announce Seoul's investment in the United States on Friday.

Cho's visit also unfolds amid domestic debate over whether South Korea should send military assets to support navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has criticised Seoul in recent weeks for what he called insufficient support for the US-led effort to secure the strait following the war with Iran. South Korea has said it is reviewing options, including military measures, to support freedom of navigation there, while denying media reports that a deployment had already been decided.

North Korea is also likely to be on the agenda amid speculation over a possible summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump has been pressing aides for a meeting with Kim as soon as the autumn, according to the Wall Street Journal.

President Lee is due to hold a news conference on Friday and is expected to address a range of issues, including the Strait of Hormuz and the US investment negotiations, local media reported.