South Korea and U.S. to hold high-level talks on security and investment amid rising tensions

South Korea’s foreign minister, Cho Hyun, confirmed that a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is being scheduled this month, potentially before the United Nations General Assembly convenes on Sept. 22. The talks will address Washington’s push for a Korean military contribution to operations in the Strait of Hormuz and the status of the $350 billion investment pledge, with a possible announcement around Sept. 18.

Seoul has sent a team of foreign and defense officials to the United Arab Emirates to assess security conditions near the strait, though no decision on troop deployment has been taken. Opposition to the plan has grown among ruling-party lawmakers and civic groups, leading to rallies in central Seoul. Meanwhile, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan is expected to return from New York negotiations on the investment package, which may include a 6.3-gigawatt gas plant in Texas. Defense officials will also meet in Busan for the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue, covering the Hormuz issue, OPCON transition timing, and shipbuilding cooperation under the “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again” initiative.