U.S. President Barack Obama is meeting with South Korean President Lee
Myung-bak to discuss trade issues and efforts to get North Korea to
give up its controversial nuclear program.
Thursday's meeting in Seoul comes at the end of Mr. Obama's Asian tour,
which included earlier stops in Japan, Singapore, and China.
Mr. Obama and Mr. Lee are expected to discuss ways to convince
Pyongyang to return to the six-party nuclear negotiations, which also
involve China, Russia, and Japan. North Korea has asked for a
one-on-one meeting with the United States.
U.S. envoy Stephen Bosworth is expected to travel to Pyongyang before
the end of the year to try to pave the way for a new round of talks.
Mr. Obama and Mr. Lee are also expected to discuss a free-trade
agreement awaiting ratification in both the U.S. and South Korea.
Mr. Obama told Fox News Wednesday that he wants the deal completed in 2010.
They also may discuss Afghanistan, where South Korea has pledged to
dispatch combat troops to protect its aid workers and support the U.S.
war effort. After the meeting, Mr. Obama is to visit troops at a U.S.
military base before leaving the country to return home.