U.S. Secretary of State Blinken departs to visit South Korea, Japan and France ahead of farewell

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken left the country on a visit to South Korea, Japan and France on the 4th local time.

The visit comes as a "goodbye tour" two weeks before Joe Biden's administration leaves office.

Reuters reported that Blinken will visit South Korea today (5th) in a political crisis.

Secretary of State Blinken will meet with senior South Korean government officials to discuss "major efforts to promote a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and strengthen trilateral cooperation with Japan," the State Department said.

France will discuss the challenges of the Middle East and Europe, especially the progress of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.

Secretary Blinken will return to the United States on the 9th.