WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- A top Korean presidential official is visiting the United States for consultations on North Korea and bilateral alliance issues, a government source said Wednesday.

Kim Tae-hyo, senior secretary to President Lee Myung-bak for national security strategy, arrived in Washington Monday for meetings with officials at the White House, the State Department and the Defense Department, according to the source.

They include National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, the source said.

Kim is "visiting Washington and is in consultations with U.S. officials on the North Korean nuclear program, missiles, North Korea policy and other major pending issues between South Korea and the U.S.," the source said, requesting anonymity.

His trip comes as Seoul and Washington are on alert for a possible nuclear test by North Korea or other provocations.

The North on April 13 fired a long-range rocket that fell apart shortly after liftoff.

In New York, Kim had discussions Sunday with U.N. officials on the Security Council's recent statement strongly condemning the North's rocket launch.

He reportedly visited Washington twice in 2011 to talk about North Korea policy and the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement.
He plans to return to Seoul on Friday.