SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s new President Lee Jae Myung will travel to Washington later this month to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, Lee’s office said Tuesday, for talks on trade and defense cooperation in the face of nuclear-armed North Korea and other threats.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday held a symbolic “People’s Mandate Ceremony” marking the country’s 80th Liberation Day, reinforcing his popular legitimacy after taking office in June without a formal inauguration.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pledged to "respect" North Korea's political system and said Seoul would not seek unilateral reunification in a speech to mark Liberation Day.