The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States have noted the need to take on North Korea's nuclear issue with urgency, and committed to close consultation toward a resolution.

According to South Korea's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, Minister Kang Kyung-wha engaged in a 30-minute phone conversation with the incoming U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was sworn into the post on Tuesday local time.

Kang congratulated Blinken on his confirmation, noting his deep understanding of their countries' shared alliance and Korean peninsula issues. In response, Blinken expressed his hope he can further develop the Washington-Seoul alliance over his tenure.

The ministers also discussed cooperation on outstanding global issues, including climate change and countering the COVID-19 pandemic.