(LEAD) FM Cho discusses bilateral ties, N. Korea issues with visiting U.S. congressman

▲ Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (L) shakes hands with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) ahead of their meeting at Seoul's foreign ministry building in Seoul on Jan. 26, 2024, in this photo provided by Cho's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ Defense Minister Shin Won-sik (L) holds talks with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) at the defense ministry in central Seoul on Jan. 26, 2024, in this photo provided by Shin's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) FM-US congressman

(LEAD) FM Cho discusses bilateral ties, N. Korea issues with visiting U.S. congressman

(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 7-9, photo)

SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) on Friday, and discussed the bilateral alliance and other common issues, including mutual cooperation with Japan and North Korea, Cho's office said.

In Friday's talks, Cho noted the bilateral relations between South Korea and the United States have become stronger in all areas from security and economy to people-to-people exchanges, and expressed hope that the two countries will further develop the ties based on close coordination.

Cho thanked the U.S. Congress for sending a strong message about the South Korea-U.S. alliance and asked for Wilson's continued attention to Korea issues as a representative foreign and military expert who has long supported the bilateral alliance.

Cho also pointed out the importance of "predictability and sustainability" in business environments for South Korean companies investing heavily in the U.S. market.

"The minister emphasized the need for U.S. legislation to expand the visa quota for professional workers as a way to resolve the workforce shortage and help businesses to operate smoothly," Cho's office said.

Cho told the congressman that the trilateral cooperation among the U.S., South Korea and Japan will serve to effectively respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, and maintain peace and stability in the region.

Defense Minister Shin Won-sik also held talks with Wilson at his office in central Seoul, where they discussed efforts to develop the bilateral alliance and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, according to Shin's ministry.

During the talks, Shin stressed the need to strengthen cooperation with countries that share common values, as well as enhancing deterrence efforts against North Korean threats through the South Korea-U.S. alliance, it said.

Wilson shared the view that North Korea's nuclear and missile development is a threat not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to the international community, and the two sides agreed to cooperate to further develop the bilateral alliance, according to the ministry.

Wilson is known for his keen interest in the South Korea-U.S. alliance, bilateral economic cooperation and Korean Peninsula issues.

Wilson is serving on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of the Representatives, and also co-chairs the Congressional Korea Caucus, a bipartisan group for promoting the bilateral ties and awareness of Korea-related issues in Congress.

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