Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a meeting with Acting President Choi Sang-mok of the Republic of Korea (ROK). During the meeting, Secretary Blinken conveyed condolences for the tragic loss of life resulting from the Jeju Airlines incident. He emphasized that "the U.S. stands ready to support the ROK during this difficult time."
Secretary Blinken reaffirmed "the United States’ confidence in the enduring strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance," describing it as "the linchpin of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific." He also highlighted "the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of the ROK."
The discussion between Secretary Blinken and Acting President Choi included plans to enhance bilateral cooperation and trilateral cooperation with Japan. They addressed a range of global and regional issues, particularly focusing on initiatives related to ROK’s 2025 APEC host year.