US second lady to visit South Korea next week

The wife of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will visit South Korea next week for meetings on women's education and economic empowerment issues, the White House announced Thursday.

Jill Biden will be accompanied by Catherine Russell, ambassador-at-large for global women's issues, on the trip to Korea, Vietnam and Laos July 16-22, the top office said in a statement.

She will "engage government and civil society partners" on issues related to economic empowerment and educational opportunity for women and girls," the statement said without providing further details.

Biden also plans to visit Japan on July 22-23 to participate in events as part of her Joining Forces initiative to support service members, veterans, and military families, the statement said.