Powell, who arrived at a military airport on the outskirts of Seoul from Beijing, is to meet President Roh Moo-Hyun and hold talks with Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon and Unification Minister Chung Dong-Young on Tuesday, officials said.

Stalled six-nation talks on curbing North Korean nuclear weapons programs and US-South Korean military alliance will dominate discussions between Powell and Seoul leaders, they said.

Powell, who visited Japan and China before arriving in South Korea, is due to leave Seoul on Tuesday.