WASHINGTON -- Department of Defense Spokesman Lt. Col. David Herndon provided the following readout:

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl departed for travel to the Indo-Pacific today. While in Hawaii, he is scheduled to engage with senior officials at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, conduct site visits, and meet with U.S. military personnel.

In the Republic of Korea (ROK), he will meet with senior officials and counterparts from the ROK government, visit the Joint Security Area (JSA) within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and attend a U.S.-ROK combined-exercise. Under Secretary Kahl's visit to the ROK will underscore the significant progress made in strengthening extended deterrence under the U.S.-ROK Alliance and emphasize that the U.S. commitment to the defense of the ROK remains ironclad.

During his visit to Japan, Under Secretary Kahl is scheduled to meet with senior officials and counterparts from the Government of Japan. Their discussions will focus on the historic steps taken to strengthen and modernize the U.S.-Japan Alliance, which continues to serve as the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Planned counterpart engagements throughout this trip will address mutual security challenges, opportunities to increase defense cooperation, and efforts to network our Alliances with likeminded partners.

Under Secretary Kahl's visit reaffirms our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.