Clinton Mulls Seoul Visit Over Cheonan Findings

South Korea and the U.S. are discussing a visit by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Seoul once the findings of an investigation into the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan are announced late this month.

A diplomatic source in Washington on Monday said Clinton is to reaffirm the strong alliance "and send a solemn warning message to the North if findings of the Cheonan's sinking point clearly to North Korea's involvement."

She may visit and meet Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan either before or after the U.S.-China strategic and economic dialogue in Beijing from May 24. There she is to meet with Dai Bingguo, the Chinese state councilor for foreign affairs.

If Clinton's schedule does not permit a visit, the U.S. could send James Steinberg, a deputy secretary of state, and Kurt Campbell, an assistant secretary.