US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in South Korea on Sunday, to attend the Democracy Summit session, a multi-party gathering led by the United States to promote solidarity and shared values among democratic countries, according to the South Korean news agency "Yonhap".
Blinken arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, 60 kilometers south of Seoul, for a two-day visit that also includes talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong tomorrow, Monday, in their second meeting in less than a month after their previous meeting in Washington last month.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated that the ministers are expected to discuss democratic cooperation, ways to strengthen the alliance between the two countries, and other issues of mutual interest, such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.
The expected talks come just weeks after Blinken and Chung met face-to-face in Washington during the latter's visit to the United States last month. This was their first in-person meeting since Chung took office in January.
Blinken is also expected to visit President Moon Jae-in.
The US is leading the Democracy Summit to strengthen the democratic bloc with like-minded countries in confronting various challenges arising from the rise of authoritarian rule.
South Korea is hosting this year's summit, the third of its kind, scheduled to take place from March 18 to 20.
Ministerial sessions will be held on the first day, followed by discussion sessions involving civil groups the next day. The leaders' session will be held online on the final day.
US President Joe Biden is scheduled to attend the summit online.
The US hosted the inaugural session in 2021. Participating in hosting the second session were the United States, South Korea, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, and Zambia.
Follow the latest news on Google News
