South Korea, U.S. discuss Hormuz security and alliance in talks

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun spoke by phone on the 16th with Marco Rubio of the U.S. State Department to discuss recent Middle East developments and the trajectory of Korea–U.S. ties. The South Korean Foreign Ministry said the call was initiated at the request of the U.S. side.

During the conversation, Rubio emphasized that securing the Hormuz Strait over the long term and stabilizing the global economy and international oil prices depend on cooperation among many countries, according to the ministry’s briefing.

Some observers interpreted Rubio’s remarks as effectively formalizing a request for South Korea to participate in Hormuz security efforts, though the ministry did not publicly outline any specific deployment commitments.

The briefing also notes that on the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media suggesting that countries affected by potential disruption at Hormuz—namely China, France, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom and others—could consider sending naval vessels to the area.

In a related exchange, Rubio spoke with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu to outline the U.S. stance and responses on Middle East issues, a conversation confirmed by Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

Cho Hyun and Rubio reportedly agreed to meet soon for deeper discussions on global cooperation and ongoing Korea–U.S. issues, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The conversation comes at a time of heightened attention to Hormuz, a chokepoint through which a large share of the world’s oil passes. For U.S. policymakers, any discussion of allied participation in Hormuz security touches on American energy security, alliance burden-sharing, and the resilience of global supply chains that rely on stable energy markets. Washington has long prioritized coordinated maritime security in the region as a cornerstone of its position in the Indo-Pacific and in global markets.

For Seoul, the dialogue signals ongoing alignment with Washington on regional security and energy stability, while Korea weighs its own strategic calculus about international cooperation, alliance commitments, and the implications for its own export-driven economy and high-tech industries. The outcome of planned follow-up talks will be watched for any concrete steps or new investment in regional security arrangements.