Graves revealed his travel plans during a forum hosted by South Korea's state-run Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency in Washington on Tuesday.

During his visit to Seoul, Graves is set to engage in discussions centered on cooperation between South Korea and the United States concerning "export controls."

He emphasized the critical need to counter Russia's ability to bypass export controls, which it has reportedly utilized to acquire technology and materials for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

This visit by a senior U.S. official coincides with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's scheduled talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia, with discussions on a potential arms deal expected as early as Wednesday.

The international community will be closely monitoring these developments as they could have significant implications for regional and global security. (ILKHA)