U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell is expected to visit China early next week.

Campbell’s trip is aimed at discussing with Chinese officials the formation of a new consultation body between the U.S. and China. The assistant secretary of state is also likely to address issues related to the Korean Peninsula given that his visit comes shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong-il traveled to China.

Campbell is likely to visit Beijing on Monday and possibly make a stop in Seoul afterwards.

If Campbell visits Seoul, it is anticipated he will discuss with South Korean officials Kim Jong-il’s trip to China and the situation on the Korean Peninsula following the North’s disclosure that the two Koreas held a secret meeting.