U.S., South Korea reaffirm alliance, condemn North Korean missile launch and pledge closer trilateral ties with Japan

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Jo Tae yal met in Seoul and used their joint remarks to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, condemn a North Korean missile launch and describe steps to deepen trilateral cooperation with Japan on security, economic and technological matters.

The ministers opened by offering condolences: Jo Tae yal said, “Korea will always stand with the people of the United States,” and Blinken said the United States had sent teams from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing to Korea “to support the investigation” into a recent plane crash. Blinken added, “the United States is here to help in any way that we can.”

The meeting emphasized defense ties and deterrence. Jo said the two governments “reaffirmed that there is no daylight…