By Jun Ji-hye
U.S. President Donald Trump will hold a summit with President Moon Jae-in in Seoul, Nov. 7, to discuss North Korean issues and other challenges facing the two countries, the White House announced Monday.
Trump’s visit to South Korea is part of his trip to Asia from Nov. 3 to 14, which will take him to Japan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
President Trump will stay in South Korea from Nov. 7 to 8, during which time he will also visit American and South Korean service members amid heightened military tension here.
During their talks, Moon and Trump are expected to discuss how to better deter the North’s evolving nuclear and missile threats as well as a renegotiation of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA).
Earlier this month, Seoul and Washington agreed to initiate amendment negotiations at the U.S. government’s request. They are likely to kick off as early as January.
The White House added President Trump will speak at the South Korean National Assembly.
“He will celebrate the enduring alliance and friendship between the United States and the Republic of Korea, and call on the international community to join together in maximizing pressure on North Korea,” it said.
A parliamentary official said earlier in the day that the U.S. Embassy in Seoul had asked the Assembly about whether Trump could give a speech during his visit.
Trump will be the seventh U.S. president to address the parliament here ― former presidents who gave speeches included Dwight Eisenhower and Bill Clinton.
During his speech, President Trump is expected to talk about his country’s North Korean policy and ways of improving Seoul-Washington relations. Eyes are on which message the U.S. president will deliver to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after their recent war of words.
Before coming to South Korea, Trump will visit Japan and hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. After wrapping up his schedule here, he will leave for Beijing and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump will then travel to Vietnam, Nov. 10, to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting and deliver a speech at the APEC CEO Summit.