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Mixed reception as Bush begins Asia trip in Seoul

US President George W. Bush began his Asian trip yesterday, arriving in South Korea’s capital in advance of talks with the nation’s conservative, pro-US president, Lee Myung-bak.

Police said a crowd of about 20,000 converged yesterday in downtown Seoul for a demonstration against the visit. Police briefly scuffled at one point with protesters, who hurled water bottles.

In front of Seoul City Hall, police said, some 30,000 people convened for a prayer service. Large South Korean and US flags were held aloft by balloons overhead along with a banner reading, “Welcome President Bush.”

Lee took office in February with promises to patch up relations with Washington that became strained under Seoul’s previous decade of liberal governments.

Bush and Lee will tackle a raft of sensitive subjects before the US president heads to Thailand, then to the Beijing Olympics.

At the top of the list is getting North Korea to live up to its commitment to dismantle its nuclear weapons program.

Grateful for South Korea’s troop contribution in Iraq, Bush also will try to persuade Lee to make a bigger contribution in Afghanistan to help deal with the Taliban’s resurgence.
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