Washington: A top U.S. diplomat underscored America’s commitment to the “complete” denuclearization of North Korea during phone talks with his South Korean counterpart, as Seoul seeks to maintain close coordination with Washington on North Korean threats and other issues.

According to Yonhap News Agency, during the call with South Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also offered his condolences for the tragic loss of life and extensive damage caused by wildfires in Korea’s southeastern region, as stated by Tammy Bruce, the department’s spokesperson.

The two sides discussed security issues, opportunities for economic cooperation, particularly on energy issues, and highlighted South Korea’s growing investments in the U.S. industry, Bruce mentioned. During his Senate confirmation hearing in March, Landau emphasized the need to work with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific to counter the rise of an assertive China, which he described as the U.S.’ “foremost” strategic competitor.