President Park Geun-hye sent a letter to the commander of American troops stationed here Friday, expressing thanks for their efforts to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula and hoping for further strengthening of the alliance between the two countries, her spokesman said.

The letter to Gen. James Thurman came just days before Park embarks on a visit to the United States for her first summit with President Barack Obama expected to focus on how to deal with North Korea and enhance the alliance between the two countries.

It also came after the two countries wrapped up annual joint military exercises, where the U.S. mobilized nuclear-capable bombers and other top weaponry in a show of force aimed at deterring North Korea. Pyongyang strongly protested the drills with near-daily threats of war. (Yonhap News)