▲ This photo, provided by South Korea's foreign ministry, shows Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (L) shaking hands with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington on Feb. 3, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(ATTN: RECASTS paras 2-3, 5; ADDS more details in 13th para)

SEOUL/WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States have agreed to continue "close" communication and cooperation to address North Korea's nuclear issue and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula during a call, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held phone talks on Monday (Seoul time), amid concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration could focus less on or shift away from the long-elusive goal of Pyongyang's denuclearization, as Trump hopes to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year.

Those concerns were reinforced last week when Trump declined to answer a reporter's question about whether his goal in reengaging with the North Korean leader is still denuclearization.

"The minister and secretary agreed to continue close communication and cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. for peace on the Korean Peninsula and the resolution of North Korea's nuclear issue while maintaining a solid combined defense posture," the ministry said in its release.

In a separate two-sentence readout, Tommy Pigott, the spokesperson for the State Department, said that Rubio noted the need for the two countries to "remain in close coordination on matters that are integral to the alliance." Pigott did not mention the North's nuclear issue.

During the call, Cho said that the South Korean government will do its best to help ensure that Trump's recent message for North Korea will lead to the resumption of dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, and peace on the peninsula, according to the ministry.

The minister was apparently referring to Trump's recent remarks that he expects to meet Kim later this year.

Trump's remarks followed his directive earlier this month to scale back South Korea-U.S. military exercises -- a move seen as a conciliatory gesture toward Pyongyang.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Trump is seeking a meeting with Kim, which could take place during his next trip to Asia, likely for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, in November.

Pointing to recent shifts in international circumstances, the top diplomats reaffirmed their shared understanding that close communication between South Korea and the U.S. is "more important than ever," the ministry said.

They also agreed to work together to further elevate bilateral relations by achieving "mutually beneficial" outcomes on various pending issues, including tariffs, an investment agreement and security cooperation, it said.

During the call, Cho underscored the Seoul government's commitment to making substantive contributions to help restore free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while noting the active leadership of President Trump and the U.S. in addressing the Middle East issue.

Cho's mention of that commitment came after Trump expressed his frustration, claiming that South Korea has not acceded to his request for help in securing the strait, a crucial shipping route for oil, natural gas, fertilizer and other commodities.

Rubio explained U.S. efforts to restore peace and stability in the Middle East, the ministry said.

Cho and Rubio agreed to meet in the near future to have in-depth discussions on key pending issues.

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