President Lee Myung-bak met with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon over a luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae and discussed major issues related to the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday (Aug. 18).

 
Mr. Ban was visiting South Korea for his summer vacation from Aug. 10 to 18.

At the luncheon, Secretary General Ban said that President Lee''s plan for North Korea''s denuclearization and reduction of conventional weapons, which had been announced on Aug. 15 (Korea''s Liberation Day), was highly likely to contribute to peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The President''s plan will greatly advance inter-Korean relations, following the return of Hyundai Asan employee Yu Seong-jin, the Secretary General added. The Hyundai worker was set free on Aug. 13 after a 137-day detention in North Korea.

Ban went on to say, "International expectations are high as to Korea''s peace keeping operations worldwide. The Korean Navy''s anti-piracy activity off the Somalian coast is highly appreciated, too. I would like Korea to take a leading role in negotiations on climate change as well." Mr. Ban asked President Lee to preside over one of the related 16 round-table working group meetings, which will be held at the UN headquarters in New York next month.

During his visit to Seoul, Mr. Ban visited the Korea National Red Cross office and offered speeches on global anti-climate change measures.

Ban wrapped up his visit to Seoul by paying tribute to former president of Korea Kim Dae-jung, who passed away on Aug. 18.

Following the meeting with Mr. Ban, President Lee Myung-bak also met with members of the U.S. House of Representatives at the presidential office.

The US lawmakers praised Lee''s congratulatory speech on the 64th anniversary of national liberation by saying that the remarks clearly showed the South Korean government''s consistent yet flexible policy on inter-Korean relations.

President Lee said in return that South Korea will help North Korea to stand on its own two feet when it gives up its nuclear ambitions. He also asked the U.S. lawmakers to keep an eye on North Korea''s denuclearization. The lawmakers answered by saying they would put the issue on top of their list.