Biden to visit Asia next month to build united front on North Korea, Russia

SEOUL — Visiting Asia next month for the primary time since turning into US president in 2021, Joseph R. Biden will maintain talks with allies in Japan and South Korea over China’s rising affect within the area and the newest threats from nuclear-armed North Korea.

“The leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen our vital security relationships, enhance economic ties, and expand our close cooperation to deliver practical results,” the White Home stated in an announcement.

Mr. Biden will meet South Korea’s new president Yoon Suk-yeol on Might 21, throughout a three-day visit that comes shortly after Mr. Yoon’s swearing-in on Might 10, Yonhap information company reported.

The US president will journey to Japan on Might 22, the place he’ll meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, earlier than each leaders attend a gathering of the Quad safety group together with their counterparts from Australia and India.

Mr. Biden’s journey to Asia comes at a time when Washington is searching for to reinforce unity and dedication amongst allies in response to each Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and China’s rising financial and safety affect within the area.

North Korea is anticipated to be a key matter for dialogue in each Seoul and Tokyo, as Pyongyang is outlining an expansive new doctrine for nuclear weapons use.

North Korean chief Kim Jong Un has threatened to use nuclear weapons to strike anybody who violates the North’s “fundamental interests.”

North Korea resumed testing of its long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) for the primary time since 2017 final month, and Seoul and Washington officers say it could be making ready for a brand new spherical of nuclear checks.

Mr. Yoon and Mr. Biden will maintain in-depth discussions on a broad vary of points together with growing the alliance between the USA and South Korea, “policy coordination on North Korea, economic security, and major regional and international affairs,” Mr. Yoon’s spokesperson Bae Hyun-jin stated.

Throughout his election marketing campaign, Mr. Yoon pledged to bolster South Korea’s protection functionality to counter North Korea’s threats.

In Tokyo, Mr. Biden and Mr. Kishida will search methods to build on their ties to additional peace and prosperity within the Indo-Pacific area and past, Chief Cupboard Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno advised a briefing.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a unilateral attempt by force to change the status quo and a huge shock to the international order, and … it’s essential to further strengthen the US-Japan alliance and verify the ties that will allow us to work towards a free and open Indo-Pacific.” — Reuters

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