The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met today in Tokyo with Republic of Korea (ROK) First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong to discuss efforts to further strengthen the U.S.-ROK Alliance and deepen partnership across a range of issues. The Deputy Secretary and First Vice Foreign Minister Cho condemned the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) recent ballistic missile launches as reckless and destabilizing to regional and global security. Deputy Secretary Sherman reiterated that the United States’ commitment to the defense of the ROK and Japan remains ironclad and that we continue to seek serious and sustained dialogue with the DPRK. Noting the strength of U.S.-ROK economic ties, the Deputy Secretary and First Vice Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of working together to improve supply chain resilience and strengthen the economic security of both our nations. The Deputy Secretary thanked First Vice Foreign Minister Cho for the Republic of Korea’s continued support for Ukraine and lauded our deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific across a range of issues.

U.S. Department of State

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