A group of South Korean ruling party lawmakers headed for the United States on Monday for a five-day visit to meet with US President-elect Donald Trump's transition team.
Led by Rep. Won Yoo-chul, the Saenuri Party delegation plans to discuss North Korean nukes, the bilateral free trade agreement, and the US troops stationed in South Korea.
During his campaign, Trump vowed to bring various changes to the issues, including having South Korea pay more for the US troop deployment.
After his election, Trump said Washington will be "steadfast and strong" in defending South Korea against Pyongyang during a telephone conversation with President Park Geun-hye.
During their visit until Friday, the Saenuri delegation plans to meet Trump's aides and Republican Party officials, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Last month, a group of lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties visited the US to discuss the future of the Seoul-Washington alliance with experts.
Rep. Na Kyung-won of Saenuri, one of the team members, said the new administration will likely consider a wide range of options on Pyongyang, from Trump's meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to even an attempt at his removal. (Yonhap)
