US President Joe Biden will host South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a state visit on April 26, the White House announced Tuesday, as the countries ramp up cooperation over the threat from North Korea. The United States and South Korea have been holding increasing numbers of joint drills in the face of growing warnings from nuclear-armed Pyongyang, which has conducted a wave of banned weapons tests in recent months. The prestigious state visit — only the second of Biden’s time in office — “will highlight the importance and enduring strength of the ironclad… alliance” between the two countries, the White House said. Later this month the US and South Korean militaries will hold their largest joint drills in five years. North Korea’s foreign ministry accused the United States of “intentionally” ramping up tensions.

Source: The Guardian March 07, 2023 21:49 UTC