Seoul, Dec 22 (NationPress) A high-ranking diplomat is set to visit the United States and Japan this week to engage in discussions concerning collaboration among the three nations and matters related to North Korea, as revealed by Seoul's foreign ministry on Sunday.
First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun will commence his five-day journey later on Sunday, starting with a visit to Washington for discussions with his US counterpart regarding bilateral relations, trilateral cooperation with Japan, and North Korea, according to the ministry.
Following that, he will travel to Tokyo for vice ministerial-level discussions focused on the three-way cooperation with the United States and preparations for the 60th anniversary of the normalization of relations between South Korea and Japan next year, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
This visit occurs in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment on December 14 due to his brief imposition of martial law, which has raised concerns regarding Seoul's policy alignment with Washington and Tokyo, especially with the incoming US administration of Donald Trump, who is set to assume office next month.
Under Yoon's leadership, South Korea has aimed to strengthen trilateral security cooperation with the US and Japan amid evolving nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.
To address uncertainties introduced by the new Trump administration, the foreign ministry has established a task force to devise response strategies to the upcoming administration's foreign policy.
During discussions this month, the three nations—South Korea, the US, and Japan—recognized the necessity to explore methods for collectively contributing to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. This meeting was the second of its kind following its inaugural session in January.
These talks occurred as South Korea, the US, and Japan sought to further enhance trilateral security cooperation amidst the evolving nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.
