South Korea's Cho meets Rubio amid tensions, investment delays

Talks take place after strong Trump criticism of Seoul South Korean leader says concerns over viability of investment projects, but sides nearing an agreement Seoul reviewing whether to play greater Middle East role By David Brunnstrom and Simon Lewis WASHINGTON, Sept 18 (Reuters) — South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday as the longtime allies grappled with delayed South Korean investments in the United States and Seoul's role in Middle East security. US President Donald Trump has criticised Seoul in recent weeks over what he described as a lack of South Korean support for US efforts to pressure Iran.

The two countries have also yet to finalise agreements governing $350 billion in South Korean investments pledged under a trade deal reached last year. South Korea's foreign ministry said Rubio and Cho would discuss a wide range of topics, including the overall South Korean-US relationship, Korean Peninsula issues, and regional and global issues. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who is due in the United States next week for the UN General Assembly, said on Friday he would not deploy military assets to the Middle East in a way that could draw the country into conflict, but Seoul was reviewing whether to play a greater role in safeguarding navigation in the region.

Cho said before leaving Seoul on Thursday that investment plans under its trade deal had been delayed while procedural issues were clarified, without elaborating. Lee told a news conference on Friday that concerns over the commercial viability of the package had become a sticking point in negotiations, although the two sides were nearing an agreement. He said some elements of the package were difficult for Seoul to accept, but the government would continue discussions to ensure any deal protects South Korea's interests while benefiting both countries and the broader US-South Korea relationship.

South Korea committed last year to the investments in US manufacturing in return for lowering tariffs on Korean imports to 15%. Lee said Seoul had insisted on including a reference to "commercially reasonable" investments in the text of the agreement. Lee Jae Myung said on Friday it was possible for a summit meeting between Kim and Trump to take place in coming months, but it remained uncertain. com; +1 202-843-6366; @davidbrunnstrom;)