South Korean President Moon Jae-in made a surprise visit to a U.S. military base to personally welcome U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday in a move that highlights the two countries' alliance of over 60 years.
The previously unannounced visit came as Trump began his two-day state visit to South Korea at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, after arriving at Osan Air Base.
"President Trump's trip to Camp Humphreys comes at our invitation," an official from the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.
The official said it marked the first time for a South Korean president to greet a visiting foreign leader outside of Cheong Wa Dae.
Trump is scheduled to receive a security briefing after hosting a lunch for South Korean and U.S. armed service members at the base.
The official said Moon will join the U.S. leader for lunch with the joint forces of their countries.
A formal welcoming ceremony is scheduled to be held later in the day at Cheong Wa Dae, where the two leaders will hold their third bilateral summit, according to Cheong Wa Dae officials.
