Park to visit US in May on 1st overseas trip

ROK's new President Park Geun-hye takes the oath of office during her inauguration at the parliament in Seoul, in this?Feb 25, 2013 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea's 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.

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