US says South Korea alliance 'linchpin' in Indo-Pacific

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - The US-South Korea (ROK) alliance is "the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity" in the Indo-Pacific region, reaffirmed top diplomats from both countries on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chung Eui-yong discussed cooperation on global issues and the US' ongoing North Korea policy review during a meeting in Seoul, South Korea, said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

They emphasized that North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile issues are a "priority" for the alliance, and "reaffirmed a shared commitment to address and resolve these issues."

The sides have also reiterated the importance of the trilateral cooperation -- US, Japan and the ROK -- in "ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific," Price said.

Blinken and Chung voiced commitment to "closely coordinating on all issues related to the Korean Peninsula, tackling COVID-19, pressing the military in Burma {Myanmar] to restore the democratically elected government, and combatting the climate crisis."