South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephone call on Monday, the 16th, to discuss the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz, according to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Rubio explained the current situation and the outlook for the Middle East and requested our interest and support for the restoration of peace and stability in the region,” the South Korean ministry said in a statement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated criticisms of the lack of allied support in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global oil flows, and in resolving the conflict with Iran in the Middle East. “They should be helping us,” he said, referring to China, Japan, and South Korea itself.
Cho stated that safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is very important for the security and the economy of countries such as South Korea, and he agreed to continue close consultations, but did not mention ships, warships, mobilization, or any specific military demand.
The two ministers also agreed to meet soon for in-depth discussions on global cooperation and outstanding issues in the relationship between South Korea and the United States, the ministry’s statement said.
