Pentagon chief likely to visit South Korea soon, consultations under way

South Korea and the United States are in consultations to arrange a visit to Seoul by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Seoul's Defense Ministry said Tuesday, as the allies seek to bolster deterrence against growing North Korean military threats.

Report informs via Korea JoongAng Daily that Austin's visit, if realized, is expected to focus on strengthening America's trilateral security cooperation with its Asian allies, South Korea and Japan, amid questions here over Tokyo's drive for stronger armament backed by Washington, observers said.

"The issue of Secretary Austin's visit here is a matter that the two countries' defense authorities have been discussing, and we cannot offer any details at this point," the ministry said in a statement.

The exact date of Austin's possible visit to Seoul remains unknown, but speculation has emerged that he could arrive here later this month after the Lunar New Year holiday, which runs from Saturday to next Tuesday.

When in Seoul, Austin is likely to pay a courtesy call on President Yoon Suk Yeol and hold talks with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jong-sup.

His agenda could also include the reaffirmation of Washington's security commitment to South Korea as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has hardened his rhetoric against the allies.

Earlier this month, Seoul's Defense Ministry briefed Yoon on a plan to hold defense ministerial talks between the allies three times or more this year.