Defense minister under consideration to join Park's U.S. visit

Defense Minister Han Min-koo is under consideration to join President Park Geun-hye's state visit to the United States later this month, government officials said Thursday.

The inclusion of Han in Park's entourage is expected to bolster her consultation with President Barack Obama on the defense front.

Park is to fly to Washington for summit talks with Obama scheduled for Oct. 16.

"A plan to let Defense Minister Han travel alongside President Park is being reviewed," a government official said. "It is designed to cover defense-related events and prepare for the possible discussion of security-related issues."

It is unusual for a defense minister to accompany the president on U.S. visits, which take place regularly with the attendance of a foreign minister.

Han would become the fourth defense minister to join a presidential visit to the U.S.

There are currently some thorny issues pertaining to the military alliance of the two countries, including the possible deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system to South Korea.

The upcoming bilateral summit, however, will not delve into the THAAD issue, military officials said, repeating Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se's recent remarks in the same direction.

Han may strive to persuade the U.S. to reconsider its denial of Lockheed Martin's provision of core technologies to Seoul's next generation fighter jet project. (Yonhap)