Washington: The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia policy is set to begin a diplomatic tour next week, visiting South Korea, Japan, and Mongolia. This initiative aims to enhance collaboration among these nations concerning "shared priorities" within the Indo-Pacific region, as announced by the State Department on Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael DeSombre will be traveling to Tokyo, Seoul, and Ulaanbaatar from Monday through March 17. This visit is part of a broader diplomatic effort to solidify ties and address regional concerns ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's anticipated summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The summit, expected to take place from late March to early April, has sparked discussions on the potential resumption of dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea.
The recent statements from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at a key party congress have added another layer to the diplomatic dynamics. Kim expressed a willingness to improve relations with the U.S. if Washington ceases its hostile policies. He emphasized that the future of U.S.-North Korea relations "entirely depend on the U.S. attitude," as reported by North Korea's state media.