South Korean President Park Geun-hye to visit US on June 16 to boost bilateral ties

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama will host his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye here at the White House next month to boost bilateral ties.

On her second visit to US after taking office, the South Korean leader's trip on June 16 will "underscore the strength and breadth" of the US-South Korea partnership and demonstrate the close personal ties between the two countries, said White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest.

"Obama and Park will exchange views on a broad range of security, economic, and global issues, including the US-RoK alliance and the critical role it plays in assuring regional stability and security," he said.

They will discuss the security situation on the Korean Peninsula in the face of the continued threat from North Korea, Earnest said.

During their meetings, the two leaders will review ongoing efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between the US and South Korea.

"They will also chart the expansion of our cooperation into new areas that will increasingly shape the relationship in the 21st century such as environment, health and cybersecurity," Earnest said.