S. Korean, US presidents to meet before APEC summit

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun will hold a meeting with US President George W. Bush on Nov. 17, one day before the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in South Korean southeast city of Gyeongju, Roh's spokesman announced Tuesday.

Gyeongju is an ancient city located some 50 kilometers north to Busan, where the APEC summit meetings will be held on Nov. 18-19.

During the Seoul-Washington summit, the two leaders are to discuss issues of mutual concern, such as the South Korea-US alliance, nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, bilateral economic and trade ties, Kim Man-soo, Roh's spokesman said in a news release issued by the South Korean Presidential Office.

It will be Bush's first visit to South Korea since Roh took office early 2003. The US president made a trip to the Asian country in February 2002.

The summit, the fifth of its kind between Roh and Bush, will not only help consolidate their friendly relationship but also " deepen the comprehensive, dynamic and mutually beneficial alliance ", the spokesman said.

Source: Xinhua