South Korea president to visit White House Oct 13

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama plans to welcome his South Korean counterpart to the White House for an official state visit next month.

The White House announced Tuesday that Obama will receive President Lee Myung-bak and his wife on Oct. 13, including for a state dinner that night. It will be the fifth state dinner of Obama’s presidency.

Officials said the visit will celebrate the strong ties and friendship between the United States and the South Korea.

The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of economic and security issues as well as review progress on a free-trade agreement between their countries.

Lawmakers have been urging Obama to send that agreement and two other pending trade deals to Congress for approval.