AlQa'dah 13, 1432, Oct 11, 2011, SPA - South Korean President Lee Myung Bak left for Washington Tuesday to meet US President Barack Obama, after asking parliament to ratify a free trade pact between the two allies. "This visit will centre on strong alliances and the prosperous economic partnership between the two countries," said Kim Ki Hyeon, spokesman for South Korea's ruling Grand National Party. Before his departure, President Lee urged parliament to ratify the free trade agreement with the US, which has been on hold since its signing in 2007. The US was expected to ratify the agreement soon, Lee's statement was quoted as saying by the German Press Agency "DPA".