US Defense Secretary Holds Meeting With South Korean President

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "They noted the importance of international diplomatic cooperation to increase pressure on North Korea to show the regime that its unlawful and destabilizing behavior will only result in continued condemnation and isolation from the international community," Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White said in a statement obtained by Sputnik.

​Mattis started his visit to Seoul on October 27, and he also held meetings with S. Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-Wha and Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo. These consultations were held ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea, scheduled for November 7.

The situation on the Korean peninsula has escalated in recent months after Pyongyang carried out several ballistic missile and nuclear tests in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. In September, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that imposed a new batch of sanctions on North Korea’s officials, economy, industry and military.