Seoul: South Korea’s National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac is set to travel to the United States early this week for “in-depth” discussions with officials from the Donald Trump administration on several bilateral issues, according to the presidential office’s announcement on Saturday. This three-day visit to Washington, beginning Sunday, follows the canceled plans of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was scheduled to visit South Korea later this week but withdrew due to unspecified circumstances.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the cancellation of Rubio’s visit has raised concerns about the lack of high-level exchanges between the two nations. This concern stems from a political crisis initiated by former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law, which eventually led to his removal from office. In light of these developments, Wi Sung-lac’s visit is seen as a crucial step in maintaining and strengthening the diplomatic relations between South Korea and the United States.

Wi is expected to engage in comprehensive discussions with U.S. officials on a variety of bilateral issues during his visit. His trip is particularly significant as it precedes the expiration of Trump’s 90-day pause on tariff hikes on South Korea, set to end on July 8. The outcome of these talks could play a pivotal role in shaping the economic and political dynamics between the two allies going forward.