Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his South Korean counterpart, Cho Hyunmet, affirmed during their talks in the US capital their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.

According to Qatar News Agency, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State Tommy Pigott stated that the two ministers discussed ways to advance the US-ROK Alliance. They emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation among the United States, South Korea, and Japan in maintaining regional stability to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

"The two leaders agreed to continue to work closely on civil nuclear power, nuclear-powered submarines, shipbuilding," Pigott added.

Pigott did not address the trade tensions that have recently resurfaced between the two countries after US President Trump threatened last week to raise reciprocal tariffs on South Korea from 15 percent to 25 percent. This threat was in response to delays in the legislative process required to implement a bilateral trade agreement.

Under the agreement, Seoul has committed to investing $350 billion in the US, among other pledges, in exchange for Washington reducing reciprocal tariffs on South Korea.