Mattis to visit Philippines, Thailand, South Korea

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is traveling in Asia again this week, visiting the Philippines, Thailand and South Korea.

Between Monday and Wednesday, Mattis will take part in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers Meeting in the Philippines, according to the Defense Department. Mattis told reporters traveling with him he will meet with his counterparts from Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, according to a DOD transcript.

Mattis will also discuss North Korea's actions with his counterparts from Japan and South Korea in a trilateral setting at the ASEAN summit, he told reporters.

On Thursday, Mattis will take part in the U.S. delegation to the Royal Thai King's funeral in Bangkok. The defense secretary will then conclude his trip in South Korea, where he will co-chair the 49th annual Security Consultative Meeting amid simmering tensions on the Korean peninsula.