Trilateral cooperation Allies should lure North Korea back to dialogue The U.S. State Department emphasized the importance of cooperation with South Korea and Japan in dealing with North Korea as Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on his visit to Asia, Monday. Blinken is thus expected to discuss ways of solidifying the trilateral alliance during his visits to Seoul and Tokyo. On Sunday, the department said in a statement, "No relationship is more important than that between South Korea and Japan." It added, "A robust and effective trilateral relationship is critical for regional and global peace and security." Blinken along with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Japan Monday and will visit Seoul for two days from Wednesday. Earlier, Sung Kim, acting assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs, said the Biden administration's North Korea policy review will be completed within weeks. He said the U.S. government will make sure to incorporate the allies' input into its policy toward the North.