1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun will hold the ninth ROK-U.S. Vice Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue on July 23 with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman, who will visit Korea from July 21 to 23. The Vice Minister and the Deputy Secretary will exchange opinions on a broad range of topics including Korea-U.S. relations, Korean Peninsula issues, and regional and global affairs.

o The visit of Deputy Secretary Sherman comes as part of continued close high-level exchanges and communication between the two countries, including the recent ROK-U.S. Summit. It is expected to be an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Korea and the U.S. on issues related to the Korean Peninsula, as well as regional and global affairs.

2. Before the Vice Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue, Vice Minister Choi will visit Japan from July 20 to 21 to attend the eighth ROK-U.S.-Japan Vice Foreign Ministerial Meeting, which will be held in Tokyo on July 21.

o During the meeting, Vice Minister Choi will discuss matters of shared interest among the three countries with U.S. Deputy Secretary Sherman and Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Takeo Mori.

o During his visit, Vice Minister Choi will also have a bilateral meeting with Vice Minister Mori.