South Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and U.S. State Secretary Rex Tillerson have agreed on the need for cooperation to address issues of mutual interest including North Korea.

The two top diplomats spoke over the phone Friday, during which Tillerson said that based on the Seoul-Washington alliance, trilateral cooperation with Japan is also important in order to resolve the North's nuclear issue.

Kang agreed and emphasized that despite some historical rows with Japan such as its wartime sex slavery, South Korea will continue to seek practical cooperation with Tokyo on security and the economy. 

She also called for Washington’s continued support to make the PyeongChang Winter Olympics a successful event that can contribute to peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

In response, Tillerson said the U.S. hopes to see the success of the PyeongChang Games, and will soon announce its plan to send a high-ranking delegation to South Korea during the sporting festival.

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