Obama's day: A visitor from South Korea

Trade, the rise of China, and threats from North Korea are among the topics as President Obama welcomes South Korea President Park Geun-hye to the White House on Friday.

Obama and Park "will exchange views on a broad range of security, economic, and global issues, including the U.S.-ROK alliance and the critical role it plays in assuring regional stability and security," says the White House schedule.

The agenda includes the impact of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership, the massive trade deal that includes the United States and other Pacific Rim nations. The U.S. already has a separate free trade agreement with South Korea, but Park has hinted that her country may be willing to join the TPP.

The United States sees allies like South Korea as Asian counterweights to the economic and military rise of China.

South Korea, meanwhile, relies on the United States to counter potential threats from nuclear-armed North Korea.

In addition to a late morning bi-lateral meeting in the Oval Office, Obama and Vice President Biden will host a working lunch for Park.

In the early afternoon, Obama and Park hold a joint news conference in the East Room at the White House.