The presidential office says there was nothing sudden about Foreign Minister Cho Hyun traveling to the United States instead of accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on his visit to Japan.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Friday that more preparations are needed ahead of the South Korea-U.S. summit, and Cho headed for the U.S. early for closer coordination.

When asked whether a golf outing was scheduled between Lee and U.S. President Donald Trump, the spokesperson said it will be difficult to arrange this time because of time constraints. 

President Lee is scheduled to visit Japan on Saturday and Sunday before visiting the U.S. for a summit with Trump on Monday, and Minister Cho visited Washington on Friday, skipping the visit to Japan.

Cho is expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize the agenda for the upcoming summit.