US President Joe Biden (left) speaks during a meeting with military leaders in the Cabinet Room the White House in Washington April 20, 2022, while President-elect of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly Library in Seoul, on March 10, 2022. Biden will host Yoon for a state visit on April 26, 2023, the White House and Yoon's office said on March 7, 2023. (PHOTO / AP, XINHUA)
WASHINGTON – US President Joe Biden will host the Republic of Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit on April 26, the White House and Yoon's office said on Tuesday.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the visit would celebrate the 70th anniversary of the US-ROK alliance and highlight Washington's "unwavering commitment" to the ROK. She said the leaders would discuss deepening political, economic and security ties.
The Republic of Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol's spokesperson said it would be the first state visit to the United States by the ROK’s president since 2011 and mark a "historic milestone" for the alliance … "to evolve more actively in preparation for the rapidly changing international situation and future uncertainties."
It will be the second state visit of Biden's administration after one by French President Emmanuel Macron in December.
Yoon's spokesperson said it would be the first state visit to the United States by the ROK’s president since 2011 and mark a "historic milestone" for the alliance … "to evolve more actively in preparation for the rapidly changing international situation and future uncertainties."
The talks would cover combined defense posture, extended deterrence and high-tech and economic security, and enable a "'strong alliance in action' that protects the lives and safety of the peoples of both countries," the spokesperson said in a statement.
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The announcement comes after the ROK said on Monday its companies would compensate people forced to work under Japan's 1910-1945 occupation.
The US-ROK alliance dates from the 1950-53 Korean War.
Washington and Seoul have sought since to contain the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea but have been unable to halt its growing nuclear and missile programs which now threaten both allies.
Biden met Yoon in Cambodia in November and said after a trilateral summit involving Japan.