U.S., S. Korea call N. Korea nuclear, missile issues "priority"

The foreign and defense chiefs of the United States and South Korea stressed Thursday that the North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile issues are a "priority" for their alliance and underscored the importance of three-way cooperation that also involves Japan.In a joint statement issued following their so-called two-plus-two talks in the South Korean capital Seoul, the officials also pledged to continue promoting cooperation for peace, security and prosperity in the region.The talks involving U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and South Korean Forei…READ FULL ARTICLE