Top diplomats of South Korea, US hold talks on alliance, Trump tariffs. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. South Korea seeking to ensure a smooth path in its ties with the new Trump administration rolling out bold tariff policies while remaining less clear about its approach to North Korea. The talks also came at a time when Seoul is working to continue its diplomatic engagement in the wake of the shocking martial law attempt by now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol in early December last year. The discussions will touch on strategic cooperation in areas including the shipbuilding industry, atomic energy, semiconductor and artificial intelligence, according to South Korea’s foreign ministry. It is the first time since the launch of the second Donald Trump administration that the top diplomats of the two countries have met one-on-one on Saturday. The bilateral alliance, North Korea and Trump’s tariff plans are expected to be in focus.
