Washington's top diplomat for the Asia Pacific region is starting a ten-day tour around four Asian countries, including South Korea and Japan
The State Department says this is David Stillwell's first trip as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific... after he assumed the post last month.
U.S. officials say he will meet with officials from Seoul's foreign ministry and the presidential office to discuss bilateral relations.
Stillwell's trip comes as South Korea-Japan ties have reached new lows over Tokyo's export restrictions against Seoul.