Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
US secretary of state cancels visit to Korea
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media before the Indo-Pacific Quad meeting at the State Department in Washington, Tuesday (local time). AP-Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's planned trip to Korea next week has been canceled, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
"Korea and the United States had been in discussions regarding the possibility of Secretary Rubio visiting Seoul, but it now appears unlikely due to internal circumstances in the U.S.," ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said during a briefing.
"The two countries will continue consultations on high-level exchanges," he added.
The presidential office confirmed the cancellation without sharing further details.
The cancellation of Rubio's trip has postponed what would have marked the first visit by a senior U.S. official since President Lee Jae Myung took office on June 4.
According to diplomatic sources, Rubio had initially been scheduled to visit Korea next Wednesday and Thursday, ahead of his expected attendance at the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) foreign ministers' meeting in Kuala Lumpur, scheduled from July 10-11.
If the visit had proceeded, he had been widely anticipated to meet with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac. The two sides were expected to coordinate on key security and trade issues, as well as preparations for a summit between Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump.
A foreign ministry official said that "the U.S. side has provided sufficient communication regarding its internal circumstances related to the matter," without specifying when the visit was called off.
While the exact reason remains unclear, it is believed that Rubio may be occupied with domestic matters, as the so-called "reciprocal tariff" exemption period imposed by Trump is set to end Tuesday.
Despite calling off his Seoul visit, Rubio is still expected to attend the ARF. However, a ministerial meeting with Korea will not take place, as Seoul will be represented by First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo, according to the ministry.
Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun has yet to undergo a confirmation hearing, which is expected to take place later this month.
The delay in Rubio's trip to Seoul has raised concerns that an inaugural summit between Lee and Trump could also be pushed back.
Officials in Seoul had been eyeing a bilateral meeting in late July or August, with Lee possibly visiting Washington as early as the week of July 21. The two leaders were expected to meet during last month’s G7 summit in Canada, but the meeting fell through after Trump left the gathering early.
The delay in high-level talks between the allies comes at a sensitive time as the Lee administration navigates a delicate balancing act amid persistent U.S.-China tensions.
The cancellation of Rubio's trip came just a day after Seoul confirmed that China has invited Lee to attend its Victory Day celebrations on Sept. 3 — a development that is poised to serve as a key test of Lee's ability to manage relations between Washington and Beijing.