Biden-Moon summit to highlight importance of U.S.-Korea relationship: Psaki
By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Joe Biden's upcoming in-person meeting with his South Korean counterpart shows the level of importance the U.S. places on its relationship with its Asian ally, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Friday.
Psaki earlier said South Korean President Moon Jae-in will visit Washington in the second half of May for his first bilateral summit with Biden.
Biden was set to hold a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga later Friday.
"I would say that it should send a strong message about the first two visits that the president will have in-person -- the leaders of Japan and South Korea -- send a message about how vital and important the relationships in that region, the stability in the region, security in the region, economic partnerships in the region are to this White House," Psaki said in a daily press briefing.
Moon and Biden held their first direct conversation over the phone on Feb. 4, in which they agreed to map out a "comprehensive" strategy on North Korea.
The Biden administration is still undergoing what it calls a "comprehensive review" of its North Korea policy that it says will lead to a new, coordinated approach to denuclearizing the reclusive North.
Psaki reaffirmed the North Korea policy review is now nearing its end.
Offering a preview of Biden's meeting with the Japanese leader, and also his South Korean counterpart next month, the White House spokeswoman said the North Korea issue will certainly be on the agenda of their discussions.
"I would underscore Japan's interest in this issue, not only the nuclear program, but, obviously, stability in the region. So, they will discuss that and expect it will be part of the readout as well," she said.
The Biden-Suga meeting will mark the U.S. leader's first in-person summit with a foreign leader since he took office on Jan. 20.
The White House spokeswoman said many necessary measures will be implemented to protect the leaders and others from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There won't be a meal, as an example, which would be standard and traditional for a visit like this. And of course they will be spread out at the press conference and also even in their meetings and expanded bilateral meeting," said Psaki.
Biden and Suga will hold a joint press conference after their bilateral and expanded summit talks at the White House.
The Japanese prime minister is set to head back home on Saturday.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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