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Former U.S. president George H. W. Bush
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Former U.S. president George H. W. Bush, President George W. Bush's father, will reportedly visit Seoul and meet with President Lee Myung-bak in mid-March.
A diplomatic source on Thursday said, "Former president Bush will visit Korea on March 11-13 at the invitation of Poongsan Group chairman Ryu Jin, with whom he maintains a close relationship. During his stay, Bush will pay a courtesy call on President Lee, give a lecture under the sponsorship of the Korea Foundation and attend some events, including a ceremony celebrating Poongsan Group's founding anniversary and an event for children of mixed heritage."
Some observers speculate that the senior Bush may visit Pyongyang as a special envoy of the younger Bush to find a breakthrough in the deadlocked North Korean nuclear issue. The former president was mentioned as a possible special envoy to the North in September 2006, immediately before the North conducted a nuclear test.
But a South Korean government official said there is almost zero possibility of the former president visiting the North while the issue of North Korea's promised declaration of nuclear programs and stockpiles remains unresolved.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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