South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is set to travel to Washington for discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as Seoul reviews its response to growing security concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Cho is scheduled to meet Rubio during his Washington visit, with the two sides expected to discuss the South Korea-U.S. relationship, developments on the Korean Peninsula and wider regional and global affairs.

The talks are taking place as Washington has called on South Korea to contribute to efforts aimed at protecting freedom of navigation through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Seoul has been examining both military and non-military options in response to the request.

South Korea has also convened a National Security Council meeting to review the issue before Cho’s discussions in Washington. The outcome of that review could shape Seoul’s position during the diplomatic meetings.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical international waterway for energy transportation. Any prolonged disruption there could affect shipping, energy markets and countries that depend heavily on imported oil and gas.

For South Korea, the issue has an economic dimension because the country is a major energy importer and maintains extensive commercial links with the Middle East.

The upcoming discussions will also cover security issues involving North Korea and cooperation with regional partners, including Japan. Seoul and Washington have continued to coordinate on security issues involving the Korean Peninsula while also addressing broader developments across the Indo-Pacific.

The talks therefore come at a time when South Korea is balancing its alliance commitments with economic and security considerations linked to developments in the Middle East.

Further details about Seoul’s contribution to maritime-security efforts are expected to emerge as the foreign ministers hold their discussions in Washington.