President Park Geun-hye has begun her trip to the United States on May 5 on invitation of U.S. President Barrack Obama.

This trip, the first presidential visit overseas since President Park's inauguration, will introduce the "new era of hope" administrative vision of the Korean government and firm up the Korea-U.S. alliance which marks its 60th anniversary this year.

President Park Geun-hye waves hands on May 5 at Seoul Airbase in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do (province), before boarding the plane for her U.S. trip (photo: Jeon Han).

For the first leg of her trip, President Park will visit New York on May 5 and 6,where she will meet United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and visit New York's Korean community. She will visit Washington, D.C. on May 7 for a summit with U.S. President Barrack Obama at the White House.

Her U.S. visit is expected to evaluate the bilateral relationship, set a new direction for Seoul-Washington cooperation, and upgrade the comprehensive strategic alliance to an advanced level. Given the current security condition of the Korean Peninsula, her visit is expected to serve as a turning point in developing Korea-U.S. relations as a global partnership, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

The two leaders will discuss a wide range of issues, including taking the Korea-U.S. alliance in a new future-oriented direction, the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA) which marks its first anniversary since implementation, and cooperation on other global issues.

President Park will discuss with President Obama her proposed vision of the "Seoul Process" at the summit. The idea dubbed “Seoul Process” is about peace cooperation in Northeast Asia, calling for the United Sates and Northeast Asian countries including North Korea to build trust in non-political issues, including climate change, anti-terrorism, and nuclear power, before expanding trust to a higher level. The two leaders will also adopt a joint statement marking the 60th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance at the summit.

Staffers of Seoul Airbase and Korean Air wave to the airplane where President Park is onboard before it departs for New York, the first leg of her U.S. trip (Photo: Jeon Han).

During her visit to Washington, D.C., President Park will attend a banquet to mark the 60th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance, a luncheon with the American Chamber of Commerce, and a meeting with the local Korean community. Her Washington itinerary also includes a meeting with World Bank president Jim Yong Kim and a speech at a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, which is considered the highest honor the U.S. Congress can offer to a foreign head of state.

In the speech, President Park will praise the 60-year-old Korea-U.S. alliance, summarize Korea's development in various sectors, including politics, economy, and culture, and introduce her vision of cooperation for peace in Northeast Asia and other global issues. President Park will become the sixth South Korean leader to address the U.S. Congress. Former President Lee Myung-bak made an address in front of Congress in October 2011.

President Park will then visit Los Angeles on May 8 and 9 for a lunch with LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and meet with the local Korean community before flying back to Seoul.

More than 50 Korean businesspeople will join President Park on her U.S. trip, the largest business delegation that has accompanied a presidential trip so far. These business leaders will include Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, Hyundai Motor Company Chairman Chung Mong-Koo, LG Group Chairman Koo Bon-moo and representatives from venture start-ups and small and medium-sized firms.

By Yoon Sojung
arete@korea.kr