Trump to address South Korean National Assembly on trip to Asia

Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Donald Trump will become the first U.S. president to make a state visit to South Korea in 25 years, as part of his 12-day trip to Asia next month.

High on his agenda will be building pressure for North Korea to curb plans to develop nuclear missiles and addressing South Korea's parliament.

After a stop in Hawaii, Trump will travel to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines from Nov. 3-14, the White House announced Monday.

"The president's travel will underscore his commitment to longstanding United States alliances and partnerships and reaffirm United States leadership in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region," the White House said in a statement.

Trump first will visit Honolulu, including Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.

He will travel to Tokyo, Japan, for meetings with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Nov. 5. He also is scheduled to meet with the families of Japanese citizens abducted by the North Korean regime.

Then he will fly to Seoul, South Korea, to will meet with President Moon Jae-in on Nov. 7.

"At their upcoming summit, the two leaders are scheduled to discuss ways to strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance, enhance their cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, establish peace and stability in Northeast Asia and enhance their countries' practical cooperation," South Korea's Cheong Wa of the South Korean presidential office said.

The Moon-Trump meeting is the second since Pyongyang staged its latest and sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3. They met last month on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The two leaders also met in Washington in June.

The White House said Trump will also speak at the South Korean national parliament.

"The president will speak at the National Assembly, where he will celebrate the enduring alliance and friendship between the United States and the Republic of Korea and call on the international community to join together in maximizing pressure on North Korea," the White House said.

On Nov. 8, Trump will leave Seoul for Beijing for a "series of bilateral, commercial and cultural events," including meetings with President Xi Jinping, the White House said.

Trump next will travel to Danang, Vietnam, on Nov. 10, where he will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting and speak at the APEC CEO Summit.

The next day, the president will travel to Hanoi, Vietnam, for an official visit and events that include meetings with President Tran Dai Quang.

On Nov. 12, Trump will arrive in Manila, Philippines, to participate in the Special Gala Celebration Dinner for the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

On Nov.13, the president also will celebrate the 40th anniversary of U.S.-ASEAN relations at the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and participate in bilateral meetings with President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines and other leaders.

In April, Trump praised Duterte's crackdown on drug trafficking in which thousands of people have been killed.

Yonhap News Agency contributed to this report.