Obama to visit Seoul for summit

U.S. President Barack Obama plans to visit Korea from Nov. 18 to 19 for a summit with President Lee Myung-bak, the Blue House announced yesterday.

“During the U.S. president’s visit to Korea, Lee and Obama will have a summit and discuss measures to develop the Korea-U.S. alliance in a future-oriented direction. Other measures to deepen and expand the two countries’ friendship and cooperative ties will be reviewed,” the Blue House said in a brief press release.

Fighting the global financial crisis, climate change and other international issues such as nuclear proliferation and terrorism will be on the agenda, the Blue House said.

The November trip will be Obama’s first presidential visit to Korea. Lee and Obama had their first summit in April on the sidelines of the Group of 20 meeting in London. The two leaders met again in June when Lee visited Washington.

Lee and Obama have also maintained telephone contact since Obama was elected president last November. The latest phone call took place on May 26, to address the North’s nuclear aspirations in the aftermath of the regime’s second nuclear test the previous day.

According to the South Korean presidential office, Obama’s visit will be part of his Asia tour scheduled for next month. The U.S. president will also visit Singapore to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, slated for Nov. 14 and 15. Obama will also visit Japan and China during the tour.

By Ser Myo-ja [myoja@joongang.co.kr]