The new U.S. Assistant Secretary of State of East Asian and Pacific Affairs is starting his first overseas trip... since assuming the role last month.<br />David Stilwell is touring Asia... and his trip takes him to South Korea and Japan as they remain at odds over Tokyo's exports curbs.<br />Stilwell will be in Tokyo from Thursday until Sunday.<br />He'll arrive in Seoul next Wednesday.<br />U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he's looking forward to working closely with Stillwell in leading many critical partnerships throughout the region.<br />The State Department has been keen to avoid the impression Stillwell is taking sides between South Korea and Japan.<br />Seoul's foreign affairs minister Kang Kyung-wha and Pompeo spoke over the phone just hours ago, where they discussed Japan's export restrictions on South Korea.<br />
