South Korea, US to hold summit meeting in late June

Moon told Pottinger that he hoped to meet with President Trump soon, expressing his anticipation for a sufficient and close discussion between the two allies.

After visiting the Blue House, Pottinger met with Lee Jeong-kyu, South Korean deputy foreign minister.

Pottinger told reporters outside the foreign ministry building in Seoul that he and Lee discussed a broad range of issues, including the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile interception system.

The senior White House official anticipated that Seoul and Washington will continue to talk about this issue.

On April 26, part of THAAD elements, including two mobile launchers, a radar and other equipments, were secretly transported to a golf course at Soseong-ri village in Seongju county, North Gyeongsang province.

The secret transportation caused strong backlash from residents and peace activists who had stood sentry beside the entrance road to the golf course to block any further deployment of other THAAD elements.

A THAAD battery is composed of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors, the AN/TPY-2 radar and the fire and control unit.

A special committee of Moon's ruling Democratic Party has announced its plan to push for parliamentary hearings on the THAAD deployment decision to find if there was any illegitimacy and illegality in the decision-making process.