By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak will visit the United States from April 11 to 13 to participate in the Nuclear Security Summit, hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington D.C., Cheong Wa Dae announced Monday.
The summit, which will focus on ways to reduce nuclear warheads worldwide and prevent nuclear terrorism, is expected to draw the leaders of 47 nations and international organizations, such as the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Union.
In Washington, Lee will take part in multilateral and bilateral discussions to pledge Korea's efforts to promote peaceful use of nuclear energy and seek non-proliferation measures.
He will also call for closer global cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear crisis quickly, according to the presidential office.
President Obama has said he hopes the summit will bring nations ``together behind a clear goal: Securing all vulnerable nuclear materials around the world in four years, so that they never fall into the hands of terrorists.''
Upon arrival, President Lee will visit a monument commemorating the sacrifice made by U.S. troops during the 1950-53 Korean War and meet with a group of American war veterans.
Lee is expected to reaffirm his support for joint projects between Seoul and Washington to mark the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the war on June 25 and express deep gratitude for those who sacrificed themselves to defend South Korea.
On April 12, Lee will attend a reception hosted by Obama for participants of the summit.
The next day, he will attend various sessions on nuclear non-proliferation and global terrorist groups.
Lee will return to Seoul on April 14.