The foreign ministry will work to ensure a South Korea-U.S. summit is held next year and check the status of agreements reached during recent meetings between the two nations' leaders.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun made the remark during a policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung on Friday at the ministry's headquarters in Seoul. 

Cho said the ministry will aim to make substantial progress in implementing agreements with the U.S., particularly across nuclear-powered submarines, nuclear energy and shipbuilding. 

The minister added that the ministry will arrange Lee's state visit to China at an early date next year and continue "shuttle diplomacy" with Japan. 

He said Seoul will continue three-way cooperation with Washington and Tokyo, as well as with Tokyo and Beijing, and will maintain "necessary communication" with Moscow.