South Korean President to visit US to discuss North Korea issue

(Baonghean.vn) - President Park Geun-hyearrived in Washington on October 13 (local time) to hold talks with President Barack Obama on ways to further promote the alliance between the two countries and deal with possible provocations from North Korea.

According to plan, Ms. Park will have a summit with Mr. Obama on October 16 - the fourth meeting since she took office in February 2013.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington on October 13, preparing for high-level talks with US President Barack Obama on October 16. Photo: Yonhap.

Meanwhile, Yonhap news agency also added that there has been long-standing speculation that North Korea could launch a long-range missile in the next few months - which North Korea claims is to put a satellite into orbit.

Seoul and Washington view the satellite launch as a cover for North Korea to test ballistic missile technology, an act banned under United Nations resolutions.

The leaders of South Korea and the United States are expected to discuss how to respond to North Korea's actions and resume long-stalled talks on ending Pyongyang's nuclear program.

The talks, which involved North and South Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan, were last held in December 2008.

In addition, Ms. Park and Mr. Obama are expected to discuss ways to further promote the alliance between the two countries. South Korea is a key ally of the United States, with about 28,500 American troops stationed in the country.

The upcoming meeting between the two leaders will be the latest in a series of high-level meetings between regional leaders. Last month, President Park met with her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, followed by a summit between Obama and Xi in Washington.

South Korea, China and Japan also plan to hold high-level trilateral talks in late October or early November.

Thu Giang

(According to Yonhap)