(LEAD) New S. Korean prime minister to meet Steinberg

(ATTN: UPDATES with Steinberg's arrival in Seoul, comments in paras 3-4)
SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg will
be the first foreign guest to meet South Korea's new prime minister, Chung
Un-chan, a diplomatic source said Tuesday.

"They are scheduled to meet on Wednesday morning. Deputy Secretary Steinberg
requested a courtesy call on Prime Minister Chung," the source said. "They are
expected to exchange general views on the South Korea-U.S. alliance and the North
Korean nuclear issue."
Steinberg, who arrived here Tuesday night as part of a regional tour, will be the
first foreign official to meet Chung since he took office earlier in the day,
replacing Han Seung-soo, according to the source.
Asked about bilateral talks between the U.S. and North Korea at a hotel in Seoul
where he was staying, the U.S. official simply said concerned countries were
holding discussions.
On Wednesday, the number two U.S. diplomat will also hold a breakfast meeting
with Kim Sung-hwan, senior secretary to President Lee Myung-bak for foreign
affairs, and South Korea's top nuclear negotiator Wi Sung-lac, followed by a
luncheon with Unification Minister Hyun In-taek. Steinberg is to leave for Tokyo
on Wednesday afternoon.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)