President Roh Moo-hyun yesterday said he intends to use his May 15 summit with U.S. President George W. Bush to affirm the South Korea-U.S. alliance and boost bilateral economic cooperation.

In his morning meeting with top aides, Roh said the top priority of five-day U.S. trip is to affirm the two countries�� friendship and strengthen coordination for a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear crisis, which will help clear away uncertainties clouding the Korean economy.

"Ultimately, my trip should be made in a way to strengthen international trust in our markets," he said.

In a briefing, Roh��s top foreign affairs advisor Ban Ki-moon told reporters, "The two countries will issue a joint statement or declaration," adding that the contents would likely include the two leaders�� commitment to a coordinated resolution of the North Korean issue and an affirmation of their alliance.

The highlight of Roh��s maiden U.S. trip is a summit with Bush at the White House on May 15 (Korean Time), where he will participate in a dinner hosted by the U.S. president. Roh is expected to seek Bush��s support for Seoul��s participation in the reconstruction of Iraq.

Before moving to Washington, Roh will travel in New York, where he is scheduled to visit the New York Stock Exchange and ``ground zero," the site where the World Trade Center was located before it was demolished in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.

In New York, Roh will meet influential financiers to calm their jitters over the North Korean situation and talk with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Anan.

The last leg of his U.S. trip is San Francisco, home to Silicon Valley, where he is expected to meet the Intel chairman.

Roh will be accompanied by an official entourage of 15 top officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Kim Jin-pyo and Agriculture and Forestry Minister Kim Young-jin.

A 27-member team of businesspeople will also accompany Roh.