S Korean president asks for stronger alliance with U.S.

Source: Xinhua | 02-20-2009 14:50

SEOUL, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Friday asked for stronger alliance with the United States to help Seoul deal with international issues including the nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (R, front) meets  with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton  (L, front) at the Presidential Office in Seoul, on Feb. 20, 2009.(Xinhua/NEWSIS)

At a meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Presidential Office, Lee said "It is very important for us to strengthen the relations between Seoul and Washington, as well as those with Japan, China and Russia" to resolve the issues related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)and other issues.

Hillary Clinton thanked Lee for the warm welcome she has received here, and said the United States is also "very much looking forward" to working with its Asian ally to overcome international security issues such as DPRK's nuclear program, as well as in addressing the world economic crisis, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said.

Clinton was the highest U.S. official of Obama's administration that visits South Korea since Obama took office in January.