Foreign Minister Abruptly Heads to U.S.... Government Says "Korea-U.S. Summit to Proceed as Scheduled"

by Son Seonhee

Published 22 Aug.2025 09:07(KST)

Updated 22 Aug.2025 10:17(KST)

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has decided not to attend the Korea-Japan summit scheduled for the 23rd and has suddenly departed directly for the United States, sparking various concerns and speculation. However, the government announced that the Korea-U.S. summit, scheduled for the 25th (local time), "will proceed as planned."

On the 22nd, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated regarding the Korea-U.S. summit, "Close preliminary consultations are being conducted at all levels, and the foreign minister's visit to the U.S. is also intended to make a final on-site review," explaining the situation.

Cho Hyun Foreign Minister. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, Minister Cho abruptly left for the United States on the afternoon of the previous day to coordinate matters related to the Korea-U.S. summit. News of his departure emerged just a few hours before his flight. In particular, it became known that Minister Cho was traveling via a connecting flight rather than a direct flight to Washington, leading to speculation that there may have been a serious issue in the final coordination of the summit agenda, urgent enough for the minister to head to the U.S. immediately.

As Minister Cho headed straight to the United States, he will not be able to attend the Korea-Japan summit to be held in Tokyo, Japan, on the 23rd. It is highly unusual for the foreign minister to be absent from a summit meeting. Given that this Korea-Japan summit marks President Lee Jaemyung's first overseas trip for a bilateral summit since taking office, the absence of the foreign minister is expected to be even more noticeable.

The exact reason why Minister Cho chose to visit the United States before Japan remains unclear. However, it has been understood that internal coordination regarding Minister Cho's U.S. visit took place earlier in the week. As a result, it is presumed that the Japanese side, as the counterpart in the summit, was informed in advance about the minister's absence. Regarding concerns over diplomatic discourtesy due to the foreign minister's sudden absence ahead of the Korea-Japan summit, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, "There is nothing to worry about."