WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) - A senior U.S. diplomat will travel to South Korea to discuss cooperation in critical minerals, semiconductors, energy security and other areas at an annual bilateral economic meeting, the State Department said Friday.

Jose Fernandez, under secretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment, will visit Korea for the eighth Senior Economic Dialogue (SED), as part of his three-nation trip from Monday through Feb. 1, according to the department. The trip includes visits to Vietnam and the Philippines.

"Under Secretary Fernandez will co-chair the 8th U.S.-ROK Senior Economic Dialogue, underlining the strong bilateral trade and investment relationship with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and continued cooperation in areas such as critical minerals, semiconductors, and energy security," it said in a media note.

The SED is slated to take place on Jan. 31, according to a source.

While in the three countries, Fernandez plans to promote public-private partnerships, advance investment opportunities and emphasize the importance of close cooperation in areas of common concern, including strengthening economic, energy, health, climate and food security, the department said.

In Vietnam, Fernandez will focus on increasing trade opportunities, clean energy promotion and semiconductor and supply chain cooperation, according to the department. In the Philippines, he plans to discuss enhancing the Philippines' economic resilience through supply chain diversification among other issues.

Photo from Reuters