▲ Foreign Minister Cho Hyun speaks at a policy briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Aug. 5, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Wednesday his ministry will seek to facilitate consultations with the United States to secure conditions to build nuclear-powered submarines and create an environment for its bid to secure the right to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel.

In a policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung, Cho said the foreign ministry will pursue a foreign policy built on a "virtuous cycle" of self-reliance, alliance and solidarity in the second half.

"The ministry will facilitate consultations to secure necessary conditions to build nuclear-powered submarines and create an environment for pursuing enrichment and reprocessing," he said.

The ministry will work to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance in strategic areas, such as shipbuilding, he said, while closely coordinating with Washington on the economy and trade.

On North Korea, Cho said the ministry will seek ways to lay the groundwork for peaceful coexistence with the North in collaboration with multilateral organizations, like the United Nations.

In addition, the ministry will continue working with Washington to revive dialogue with Pyongyang and restart denuclearization talks through a phased approach, staring with a halt to North Korea's nuclear programs, he said.

Cho also said the ministry will deepen diplomatic ties with the Group of Seven, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and expand diplomatic channels through upcoming summits with Central Asian nations.

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