WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United States expressed on Tuesday its condolences over the death of a South Korean soldier who was killed when a suicide bomber attacked a U.S. military base in Afghanistan.

    "We certainly appreciate the dedication of South Korea to the fight against terrorism around the globe and we send out our condolences to the South Korean people as well as to his friends and family," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing.

    According to South Korean media, the killed soldier was identified as Sergeant Yoon Jang-Ho, 27, and he became the first South Korean soldier killed in such an attack while serving overseas.

    The suicide attack took place when U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney was visiting the military base. A total of 14 people were killed in the attack.

    South Korea has been a strong U.S. ally in Afghanistan and Iraq.