Washington: Senior diplomats from South Korea and the United States have reached an agreement to enhance their bilateral alliance and promote trilateral cooperation with Japan. This accord was achieved during discussions held in Washington, as announced by the South Korean Embassy in the U.S. capital.

According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Hyun-dong engaged in talks with Allison Hooker, the newly appointed Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, at the State Department. Their discussions focused on the bilateral alliance and a wide array of regional and global issues. Hooker, recently confirmed by the Senate, is recognized for her extensive experience in diplomacy with North Korea, including her role in preparing for former U.S. President Donald Trump's summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The South Korean Embassy highlighted the mutual understanding between the two parties regarding the significance of close cooperation over North Korean issues and comprehensive bilateral collaboration. The embassy's Facebook post emphasized the joint commitment to bolstering the Seoul-Washington alliance and enhancing trilateral cooperation with Japan.

Ambassador Cho acknowledged Hooker's expertise in matters related to the Korean Peninsula and their alliance. He urged Under Secretary Hooker, described as a longtime ally and supporter of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, to continue backing efforts aimed at advancing bilateral relations.

During the discussions, both parties agreed to work closely together to address a range of global challenges, including the Israel-Iran conflict, issues in Ukraine, and challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hooker's previous roles include serving as a senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council, where she played a crucial role in organizing Trump's summits with Kim in Singapore, Hanoi, and Panmunjom. Her career also includes serving as a senior analyst for North Korea in the Department of State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research from 2001 to 2014, and being selected as the 2013-2014 Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs fellow in South Korea.