A U.S. Defense Department official is stressing the importance of the meeting planned for Wednesday among South Korean and U.S. foreign and defense ministers in Seoul.

The official told reporters Friday that the talks, referred to as the "2+2 meeting," will focus on bilateral strategic concerns across the board, including issues related to defense, diplomacy and trade.

He said the meeting is based on the spirit of the steadfast alliance between the two countries and on the aspiration to expand and deepen bilateral ties on the Korean Peninsula, in the region and globally.

He said the high-level strategic meeting will cover a wide range of issues.