By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter

South Koreans will be able to visit the United States for up to three months visa-free beginning December, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Friday.

To that end, Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during President Lee Myung-bak's U.S. visit from April 15-19 for summit talks with President George W. Bush, a ministry official said.

The two nations will ink implementation agreements on South Korea's joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by August, when the Seoul government plans to begin issuing electronic passports containing the holders' personal information to the general public, he said.

The government began issuing ``e-passports'' to public officials and diplomats last month on a trial basis, a prerequisite to Seoul's joining in the VWP.

The back cover of the e-passport contains an embedded microchip carrying the holder's basic personal information, including date of birth and any criminal record, to help deter forgery.

``If all procedures go well without difficulties, South Koreans will be able to travel to the U.S. without visas this year,'' the official told reporters, asking not to be named. ``The United States also agrees on the timetable.''

Those who want to stay in the United States longer than three months will still have to obtain visas, he added.

Currently, 27 nations, mostly in Europe, benefit from the program.

The United States has not admitted any new countries to the VWP since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks amid tightening security measures against possible acts of terrorism from incoming travelers.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr