Ruling party chief thanks U.S. veterans of Korean War

The chief of South Korea's ruling party met with U.S. veterans of the Korean War Saturday and thanked them for their service to the bilateral alliance.

Kim Moo-sung, chairman of the Saenuri Party, arrived in the U.S. capital earlier in the day on a nine-day visit that will also take him to New York and Los Angeles.

The visit is expected to focus on the allies' joint response to North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

While having dinner at a hotel with a group of U.S. veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War and their families, Kim gave a deep bow, along with other party lawmakers accompanying him on the trip, saying it is Korean tradition to bow before the elderly in a show of respect and gratitude.

The veterans responded with a standing ovation, with Larry Kinard, national president of the Korean War Veterans Association, calling out, "We go together!"

Kim also visited the Armed Forces Retirement Home, where he toured the facilities and pledged to work to further develop the South Korea-U.S. alliance forged by the veterans. (Yonhap)