Biden begins Asia trip in S. Korea, under North nuclear shadow

Pyeongtaek, South Korea, May 20 (AFP/APP): US President Joe Biden arrived in South Korea Friday, his first Asia trip as US leader, aiming to cement ties with regional security allies despite growing fears of a North Korean nuclear test.

He received a warm welcome from South Korea’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol, but there is growing concern that North Korea’s unpredictable leadership could conduct a nuclear test while he is in the region.

There is a “real risk of some kind of provocation”, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, as South Korean intelligence warned this week that Pyongyang had completed preparations for a nuclear test.

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