Vice FM to visit U.S. next week to expedite follow-up talks on summit agreements

SEOUL, May 15 (Yonhap) -- First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo will visit the United States next week to discuss follow-up measures over security-related commitments under last year's summit agreements, the foreign ministry said Friday. During the four-day trip starting Monday, Park is scheduled to meet with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and other officials, according to the ministry. "The two sides plan to hold in-depth discussions on a wide range of issues, including follow-up measures to the Korea-U.S. summit joint fact sheet, as well as bilateral, regional and global matters of mutual interest," the ministry said in a release. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo (L) poses with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau ahead of their talks at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 1, 2025, in this file photo provided by the foreign ministry in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Following the summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump held in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in October, Seoul and Washington released a joint fact sheet outlining commitments on trade, investment, security and other issues. Under the agreement, Seoul pledged to invest US$350 billion in the U.S. in exchange for lower tariffs. Washington also gave the green light for Seoul's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, and uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing capabilities. But there has been little progress in follow-up discussions, as domestic procedures regarding Seoul's investment pledge have proceeded and the U.S. has been preoccupied with the conflict involving Iran. South Korea's National Assembly has passed a special law related to Seoul's pledged investment in the U.S., which will take effect on June 18. Another key issue likely to be discussed next week is a recent attack on a South Korean-operated vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and Seoul's role in efforts to reopen the crucial chokepoint. graceoh@yna.co.kr(END)