Biden to travel to Japan, South Korea in May says White House

U.S. President Joe Biden is set to visit South Korea and Japan in late May, the White House has announced.

The visit, set for May 20, to 24, would further deepen ties between our governments, economies, and people, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Biden is to hold bilateral talks with South Korea’s newly elected president, Yoon Suk Yeol, and Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

“The leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen our vital security relationships, enhance economic ties, and expand our close cooperation to deliver practical results,” Psaki said.

The spokesperson said that the trip would advance the Biden administration’s “rock-solid commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific” as well as Washington’s alliances with South Korea and Japan.

Biden was also scheduled to meet with the leaders of the Quad grouping of Australia, Japan, India, and the U.S. whilst in Tokyo.

The group of four, also known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, was formed in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and formalised in 2007.

The first-ever in-person Quad leaders’ summit was held in Washington in September.