Washington, City, Shawwal 16, 1432, Sep 14, 2011, SPA - South Korean President Lee Myung Bak will meet US President Barack Obama on a rare official state visit on October 13, the White House said late Tuesday. "This visit will highlight the strong alliance, the global partnership, and the deep economic ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea," the White House said. "The visit will also celebrate the strong bonds of friendship between the American and Korean people." The two leaders are to discuss security and economic issues, including the pending US-Korea Free Trade Agreement. In an interview with the German Press Agency DPA and other news agencies Monday, Obama expressed optimism that the free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama would be ratified by the US Congress "before the end of the year." --SPA 13:00 LOCAL TIME 10:00 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/924841