ISTANBUL

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul expressed concerns over China's actions in the South China Sea and discussed ways to deter North Korea during a meeting at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

"Following up on their productive phone call on his second day in office, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul at the Munich Security Conference," the US State Department said in a statement.

“The two shared concerns over China’s aggression in the South China Sea and discussed how to deter DPRK aggression,” it added.

Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to South Korea’s defense and economic ties, emphasizing collaboration in shipbuilding, semiconductors, and energy, particularly through increased US liquefied natural gas exports.

He also stressed the importance of aligning on "critical and emerging technologies."

Rubio reaffirmed America’s commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of North Korea while expressing the US's openness to dialogue, the statement added.

"The U.S.-ROK Alliance strengthens American security and prosperity,” Rubio said on X.

The three-day Munich Security Conference ends Sunday.