Bush to Meet South Korean President on First Leg of Asian Trip

Mr. Bush and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak are scheduled to meet Wednesday for talks on trade and the efforts to end North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

Activists say they are planning a protest against U.S. beef imports to coincide with Mr. Bush's arrival.

In Thailand, aides say Mr. Bush will deliver an address that will be an assessment of U.S. policy in Asia during his time in office.

While in Bangkok, Mr. Bush will also receive a briefing on cyclone relief efforts in neighboring Burma and meet privately with Burmese activists.

First lady Laura Bush plans to travel to the Thai-Burmese border to visit a refugee camp and clinic.

Mr. Bush flies to China Wednesday, and will attend the opening ceremony for the Beijing Summer Olympics on Friday. He will be the first American president to attend the Olympic games on foreign soil.

Before flying to Korea the president made a stop late Monday in the far northwestern U.S. state of Alaska, where he addressed U.S. troops at an Air Force Base.

Mr. Bush thanked troops deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq for their service, and said the situation in Iraq has turned from bleak to hopeful. He said fighting terror in Iraq and elsewhere is necessary and worthwhile.

By VOA News