NPR

A Long List Of Challenges Awaits Rex Tillerson In Asia

As the new secretary of state starts a six-day sweep through East Asia, he heads into a region full of challenges, both old and new.
PYEONGTAEK, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 06: In this handout photo provided by U.S. Forces Korea, a truck is seen carrying parts required to set up the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system that had arrived at the Osan Air Base on March 6, 2017 in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. (Photo by United States Forces Korea via Getty Images)

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has arrived in Tokyo to begin a a six-day sweep through Northeast Asia. It's his first trip there as America's top diplomat, and he heads into a region full of challenges, both old and new.

In South Korea, where Tillerson is expected on Friday, the government is last Friday's , Park Geun-hye. The historic impeachment on corruption charges brought on a power vacuum in Seoul — just as the new U.S. administration begins to engage with Asia.

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