U.S. national security advisor Condoleezza Rice has embarked on a visit to Asia for talks with government leaders in Japan, China and South Korea.

Rice will arrive in Seoul Friday for talks with Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon and National Security Advisor Kwon Jin-ho. Her talks with South Korean officials will be dominated by the North Korean nuclear impasse and the planned realignment of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.

Rice will also meet with Pres. Roh during her one-day stay in Seoul.

Before flying to Seoul, the top security official will make a stop in Tokyo on Wednesday and Beijing on Thursday.

In Tokyo, she'll meet with Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi to discuss U.S.-Japan relations and pending global issues. In Beijing, Rice will discuss the Taiwan issue and North Korea's nuclear weapons program with top Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao.