South Korea Creates Middle East Task Force After U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension

The South Korean government established a task force on June 22 to identify country-specific cooperation needs across the Middle East and support domestic companies in post-conflict reconstruction, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said. Cho stated at a press briefing that the ministry created the unit and has used overseas missions to assess opportunities.

He added that South Korea's handling of the recent crisis has strengthened its image as a reliable partner in the region.

Last week the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding that extends their ceasefire by 60 days and opens negotiations on nuclear and other issues. Cho pledged to coordinate with Washington and other governments to turn the agreement into a basis for lasting regional stability. He said Seoul is arranging a telephone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

-Iran agreement, the oceans ministry reported. Their departure lowered the number of South Korean-related ships still in the area to 22. Cho said the government continues to monitor conditions and crew safety while working with other countries to restore free passage.

A senior ministry official said South Korea and the United States are expected to settle key nuclear cooperation questions this year, including Seoul's interest in nuclear submarines and uranium enrichment and reprocessing rights. The latest talks occurred in South Korea, with another round planned in the United States soon.

Any agreement on enrichment or reprocessing would require changes to the bilateral 123 Agreement or an addendum, the official noted.

The same official said Seoul and Washington remain aligned on pursuing North Korea's denuclearization in phases. The official described a deeper alignment among North Korea, China and Russia as undesirable and stressed the value of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, China and Japan. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S.