Park's speech to U.S. Congress to show strong alliance amid N. Korea's threats: Boehner

By Lee Chi-dong WASHINGTON, April 23 (Yonhap) -- The upcoming speech by South Korean President Park Geun-hye in the U.S. Congress will provide a chance to demonstrate the strength of the alliance between the two nations amid North Korea's military threats, the leader of the House said. "It will be my honor to welcome President Park to the United States Capitol next month,”House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) said in a statement. "Given the North Korean regime's recent provocative actions, President Park's address to Congress will serve as a vital and timely reminder that Americans and South Koreans will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder to preserve our hopes for peace and freedom." Park plans to address a joint session of Congress on May 8 after holding talks with President Barack Obama at the White House. She is scheduled to arrive in Washington on May 5 for her first overseas trip since taking office in February. It comes as South Korea and the U.S. mark the 60th anniversary of their alliance this year. U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also noted the significance of Park's planned speech. "America's close relationship with South Korea, forged 60 years ago during the dark days of the Korean War, remains strong and vibrant to this very day," he said in a separate statement. On the 60th anniversary of the armistice of the 1950-53 war, he added, "I believe it is only fitting to bestow this high honor to Northeast Asia's first elected female head of state. "I share her commitment to the U.S.-Republic of Korea partnership, and I am confident that she will work to deepen economic and defense cooperation between our two countries with a shared belief in freedom and democracy," he added. "As the threat from the belligerent North Korean regime continues, a strong relationship is critical." Royce met with Park in Seoul in January as she was preparing to take office. Five of Park's predecessors delivered speeches to a joint session of the Senate and House -- Lee Myung-bak in 2011, Kim Dae-jung in 1998, Kim Young-sam in 1995, Roh Tae-woo in 1989 and Syngman Rhee in 1954. lcd@yna.co.kr leechidong@gmail.com (END)