US Defense Secretary James Mattis will make his first overseas trip to South Korea and Japan next week which is considered as the two top "critical allies" of America in the Asia Pacific region, the Pentagon has said.
Mattis's will visit Seoul and Tokyo between February 1 and February 4. Departing on February 1, Mattis will begin his trip in South Korea, where he will meet Defence Minister Han Min Koo and other senior Korean officials.
On February 3, Mattis will travel to Tokyo for meetings with his Japanese counterpart Tomomi Inada and other senior Japanese officials, the Pentagon said in a statement.
In the statement, The Pentagon described Japan and South Korea as the "critical allies" of the US.
"The trip will underscore the commitment of the US to our enduring alliances with Japan and the Republic of Korea, and further strengthen US-Japan-Republic of Korea security cooperation," the Pentagon said.
In his first address inside the Pentagon on the occasion of Martin Luther King Day Observance, Mattis said the American military has often served as an example to the American people of unity and strength; of how a diverse group of people can be motivated by austere conditions and the grim realities of the battlefield to come together as equals.
"Our Armed Forces are stronger today because of the perseverance of Dr King and so many others in this country who have fought for Civil Rights and equality for all. And we can trace our roots back to an Army patrol in 1805 when we listened to our better angels. On this day of action, we are inspired to continue being a model for our Nation," Mattis said.
Mattis, who was sworn in as the new US Defense Secretary on Friday night has so far spoken over phone with the Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, British Secretary for Defence Michael Fallon, Australian Defence Minister Marise Payne and New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee.
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