▲ Foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il speaks during a press briefing at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Jan. 8, 2026. (Yonhap)

FM-critical minerals meeting

FM Cho to attend U.S.-led meeting on critical minerals supply chain next week

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will travel to the United States next week to attend a multilateral ministerial meeting on ensuring stable critical mineral supply chains, the foreign ministry said Thursday.

The meeting, set for Wednesday, comes as the U.S. calls on its allies and partners to step up efforts to secure stable supply chains of the raw materials vital to advanced technologies amid China's dominance in the mining and refining of rare earths.

It will mark the first such meeting hosted by Washington. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to lead the upcoming meeting.

"Minister Cho will discuss cooperation efforts to stabilize and diversify critical mineral supply chains with many partners, including the Group of Seven nations and mineral-rich countries, as well as the United States," ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a press briefing.

Taking the opportunity of the meeting, Cho may hold bilateral talks with Rubio and other counterparts from the participating countries.

Cho's trip comes at a time when Seoul is seeking to reassure Washington of its commitment to a US$350 billion investment package after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to raise reciprocal tariffs on South Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent, citing Seoul's slow legislative process regarding the trade deal.

Trump said a day later that he will "work something out" with South Korea.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday there is no trade deal with South Korea until its National Assembly approves it.

Should Cho meet one-on-one with Rubio on the sidelines, their talks are widely expected to center on the tariff issue.

Cho told a panel session with local press in Seoul earlier in the day that Seoul is seeking to clear up misunderstandings with Washington, reaffirming the commitment to implementing the investment pledges.

(END)

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]