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Officials in Seoul and Washington are reportedly discussing arrangements for President Lee Myung-bak to visit U.S. President George W. Bush in mid-April at his mountain retreat of Camp David, an unprecedented honor for a Korean leader. Lee is also expected to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress, a high-level source in Washington said Thursday.
Accompanied by first lady Kim Yoon-ok, Lee will embark on a journey to the U.S. around mid-April and stop over in Los Angeles on his way to Washington. At Camp David, where he is to stay overnight, the two leaders will exchange views on the Korea-U.S. alliance and other bilateral issues, including ratification of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, the North Korean nuclear issue, and the war in Iraq.
The presidential retreat in Maryland is reserved for special guests. Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin and former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi were welcomed by Bush at Camp David.
The source in Washington said, "President Bush has taken keen interest in President Lee, who has laid stress on the Korea-U.S. alliance since he campaigned for election last year. Their Camp David talks will take the Korea-U.S. relationship to a higher level."
Officials in Seoul and Washington are discussing a future vision for the Korea-U.S. alliance, which will set a direction for the bilateral alliance, to be announced after the two leaders wind up their Camp David talks. If he addresses Congress, Lee will mention the importance of the alliance and stress the need to ratify the Korea-U.S. FTA.
Of Korea¡¯s presidents, only four -- Syngman Rhee, Roh Tae-woo, Kim Young-sam, and Kim Dae-jung ? have addressed Congress.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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