S. Korea's Park to visit U.S. in May on first overseas trip

SEOUL. March 12. KAZINFORM South Korean President Park Geun- hye will visit the United States in May in what would be her first overseas trip since taking office last month, her spokesman said Tuesday.

Seoul and Washington are currently discussing the schedule for the visit, taking into account the importance of the alliance and the tense security situation on the Korean peninsula, according to spokesman Yoon Chang-joong.

The allies have led UN efforts to punish the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea (DPRK) over its recent nuclear test, prompting the communist state to threaten attacks on the two countries.

Park, who replaced hard-liner Lee Myung-bak, campaigned on mending ties with the northern neighbor, Xinhua reports.