U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left) on March 17 walks with U.S. Forces Korea Gen. Robert Abrams after arriving at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do Province. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Minji

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on March 17 both arrived in Korea in the first joint visit by the top U.S. officials for diplomacy and defense since July 2010.

Secretary Austin arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do Province, around noon on an E-4B Nightwatch, a strategic command and control military aircraft. Secretary Blinken arrived around 2:40 p.m. by private plane.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong was scheduled to hold talks with Secretary Blinken and Minister of National Defense Suh Wook with Secretary Austin.

On March 18, the four officials will hold the first "two plus two" meeting between the two countries since October 2016.

On the same day, the two secretaries also plan to pay a courtesy call on President Moon Jae-in.

Cheong Wa Dae Spokesperson Kang Min-seok on March 17 told a briefing, "The president will pay tribute to the diligent efforts of both secretaries toward developing the Korea-U.S. alliance."

"National Security Office Director Suh Hoon will hold separate meetings with Secretaries Blinken and Austin on March 18 to exchange opinions on issues concerning the Korea-U.S. alliance and the Korean Peninsula, as well as other regional and global affairs."

kimmj7725@korea.kr