By Oh Seok-min

MANILA, July 22 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States briefly met in Manila on Wednesday, Seoul officials said, amid a range of pending alliance issues, such as follow-up measures related to a joint fact sheet covering their security, trade and investment commitments.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had "pull-aside" talks shortly after a trilateral meeting involving their Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, took place on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related gatherings in the Philippines, according to Seoul's foreign ministry officials. Cho and Rubio last held talks in February.

The meeting came as the U.S. expressed concerns about Seoul's regulatory actions involving U.S.-listed e-commerce giant Coupang over its massive data leak. Tensions surrounding Coupang renewed concerns about their potential impact on broader relations between the allies.

A report by the House Judiciary Committee and a White House official criticized South Korea for what they described as discriminatory measures against U.S. companies. Seoul has expressed regret over such responses, stressing that all regulatory measures involving Coupang were taken lawfully "in a fair and non-discriminatory manner."

The Cho-Rubio meeting also came as Seoul and Washington are working to implement a joint fact sheet released in November last year following a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump.

The summit agreements include Seoul's US$350 billion investment package in the U.S. in exchange for a reduced U.S. tariff rate, as well as U.S. support for South Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines and secure uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing capabilities for peaceful purposes.

This AFP photo shows South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (L) speaking with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prior to their talks at the State Department in Washington on Feb. 3, 2026. (Yonhap)

As the two sides continue discussions over the first project linked to Seoul's investment commitments, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan left for the U.S. on Wednesday to hold talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

The Seoul government has not yet revealed specific candidate projects, but Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, said the first project could become visible around August or September.

South Korea and the U.S. had planned to hold a new round of security consultations around July following their inaugural meeting last month to advance discussions on submarine and civil nuclear energy cooperation, but they have yet to announce a detailed schedule amid the U.S. involvement in the Middle East conflict, among other issues.

graceoh@yna.co.kr
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