President Lee Myung-bak visited Capitol Hill on June 16 during his state-visit to the US to meet with senators and House representatives. During the session he exchanged opinions with lawmakers on issues of mutual concern, including the problems of the North Korean nuclear program and the ratification of the Korea-US free trade agreement.

President Lee first visited the US House of Representatives and met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader John Boehner and other officials, and expressed gratitude for the adoption of a resolution that supported inter-Korean relations and asked for the continued interest and cooperation of the US Congress for the Korea-US alliance.

Just ahead of President Lee's visit, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a five-point resolution that urged North Korea to stop hostile actions toward the South and abandon its nuclear programs, among other things.

President Lee said that the US Congress was always a trustworthy sponsor of the Korea-US alliance and expressed thanks for lawmakers who supported the resolution. He especially lauded the long-standing alliance between Korea and the United States, and said that the two countries are cooperating well with regard to inter-Korean relations and North Korea's nuclear program. He went on to stress that he would use the momentum to realize a non-nuclear policy on the Korean Peninsula.

House Speaker Pelosi reportedly responded that while the Korea-US alliance was always a matter of great importance, it had become even more so due to the North's recent nuclear test and missile launches.

Separately, President Lee also met with House Democratic Leader Harry Reid, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and others and called for their support for the Korea-US free trade agreement, which is yet to be ratified.