SEOUL (AFP) – United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived yesterday in South Korea on the first stop of a brief Asia tour also including the Philippines, as Washington moves to reinforce ties with two key regional allies.
Blinken landed yesterday afternoon ahead of the third Summit for Democracy today, an initiative of US President Joe Biden, which Seoul is hosting this week.
Before arriving in Seoul, Blinken made a brief stop in Bahrain, where he spoke to King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa about efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
The summit, which runs from today until March 20 will bring together government officials, NGOs and civil society members.
Seoul is one of Washington’s key regional allies, and the US has stationed about 27,000 American soldiers in the South, to help protect it against the nuclear-armed North.
Seoul’s conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol has boosted ties with Washington and sought to bury the historical hatchet with former colonial power Japan to better guard against Pyongyang’s threats.
Blinken will meet South Korean Foreign Minister Cho tae-yul, the ministry said, for discussions that will cover how to boost the alliance, as Washington and Seoul explore how to improve their so-called “extended deterrence” against North Korea.
After Seoul, Blinken heads to Manila, a trip that will reaffirm “our unwavering commitment to the Philippine ally”, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
He will talk with local officials including President Ferdinand Marcos.
