Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
FM nominee pledges practical tariff, security fixes via strategic US alliance
Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun answers questions during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
By Bahk Eun-ji
Foreign Minister nominee Cho Hyun told lawmakers Thursday that South Korea and the United States should strengthen their alliance to benefit both nations, outlining a practical road map to address challenges ranging from trade disputes to North Korea’s nuclear program.
Speaking at his confirmation hearing before the National Assembly, he called for a "win-win strategic partnership" with the United States and emphasized the need for both countries to respond flexibly and strategically to evolving issues like tariffs and alliance modernization.
The Trump administration has intensified trade tariff demands on South Korea as part of its broader "America First" strategy to reduce U.S. trade deficits and bolster domestic manufacturing. Trump has threatened a 25 percent "reciprocal" tariff on South Korean — and Japanese — imports to take effect Aug. 1, to pressure these nations to adopt more favorable conditions for the U.S. economy.
Regarding an impending tariff standoff, Cho expressed optimism that a resolution could be reached before the U.S. deadline.
"Time is running out, but there’s still room to make meaningful progress," he said, suggesting that a broader agreement encompassing trade, investment and security might offer the most pragmatic path forward. He pointed to Korea’s strengths in advanced manufacturing and defense as potential leverage in the negotiations.
Concerns also persist over the broader implications of shifting U.S. defense priorities under the Trump administration. When asked about a possible reduction of the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in Korea, Cho was unequivocal.
“There are no ongoing talks between Seoul and Washington on withdrawing or downsizing American troops,” he said.
He added that many lawmakers and policy experts in the United States continue to support maintaining current troop levels. On the cost-sharing front, the nominee confirmed that the 12th Special Measures Agreement — the latest pact defining Korea’s financial contributions to U.S. forces stationed in the country — will not be renegotiated under the current administration’s policy.
Cho also addressed the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), a key milestone that will shift command of Korean forces during conflict from Washington to Seoul. He emphasized the United States’ continued and strong security commitment throughout the process.
“The Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty is the foundation of our alliance, and that commitment stands regardless of the OPCON transition,” he said.
Despite this bedrock commitment, the alliance faces evolving strategic challenges, particularly in addressing North Korea's persistent nuclear threats. Cho outlined a practical, phased approach aimed at reopening dialogue with North Korea and reducing tensions.
“Our goal is to stop further nuclear development and scale it back gradually through phased agreements,” he said. He also stressed the importance of dialogue between the United States and North Korea, pledging that Seoul would work closely with Washington to help foster the conditions necessary for negotiations.
While diplomatic avenues are pursued with Pyongyang, Seoul also navigates complex economic and security interests with Beijing.
Cho told lawmakers that Korea will pursue new models of economic cooperation with China that reflect shifting geopolitical realities. At the same time, he warned that Seoul would respond firmly to any unilateral moves by Beijing, including the installation of maritime structures in the West Sea, which Korea views with deep suspicion as potential efforts to assert de facto control or serve military purposes in overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZ), maritime areas that extend up to 200 nautical miles (about 370 kilometers) from a country's coastline.
He added that the government intends to use the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, this fall to reopen top-level dialogue with China, building momentum for broader regional cooperation and strengthening trilateral ties among Korea, Japan and China.
With regard to Russia, Cho said that the government would be monitoring the evolving international situation surrounding the war in Ukraine closely, adjusting the scope and level of intergovernmental communication as necessary. He added that efforts would continue to protect the rights and interests of Korean citizens and businesses operating in Russia.
“We firmly oppose military cooperation between North Korea and Russia,” he said, “and we will collaborate with the international community to prevent such ties from undermining peace on the Korean Peninsula.”