SEOUL – President Lee Jae Myung is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on August 25 for their inaugural summit.
This pivotal meeting will address pressing security and trade issues between the two allied nations, with the backdrop of escalating tensions between the US and China.
According to Lee’s spokesperson, Kang Yu-jung, the president will depart from Seoul on August 24 for a three-day trip, which will include a working lunch with Trump on the day of the summit.
The forthcoming summit presents an opportunity for Lee to showcase his diplomatic acumen as he aims to safeguard national interests while fortifying the alliance in the current international climate.
Negotiations are expected to finalize a bilateral tariff agreement that was reached on July 30.
Furthermore, speculation lingers that the Trump administration may renew calls for increased South Korean defense contributions, alongside discussions on what Washington refers to as “alliance modernization” to recalibrate the bilateral partnership.
The agenda for the summit includes a focus on advancing the alliance in a “future-oriented, comprehensive and strategic” manner in response to global security and economic challenges.
The enduring alliance between South Korea and the US took shape following the 1953 armistice that concluded the Korean War.
Discussions are also anticipated to encompass topics such as peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
Additionally, the leaders will likely tackle economic collaboration in key sectors, including semiconductors, batteries, and shipbuilding.
Partnerships in cutting-edge technologies and critical minerals will also be on the discussion table, confirming a wide-ranging agenda for the summit.
Regarding rumors that Lee may visit Japan during his upcoming trip to the US, Kang stated that no confirmations have been made thus far, while many potential scenarios are being evaluated.
There is also talk of Lee possibly visiting a shipyard in the US to reinforce the “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again” initiative that was discussed during tariff negotiations.
However, Kang avoided providing further details on this potential visit.
Currently, there are no plans for South Korean business leaders to accompany Lee on his trip; however, Kang indicated that this could change if specific discussions arise before the visit.
This will mark Lee’s first visit to the United States since his inauguration on June 4, and it will be his second international trip as president, following his attendance at the Group of Seven summit in Canada in early June.
In late July, President Trump announced that the US had successfully negotiated a trade agreement with South Korea shortly before Washington’s August 1 deadline.
As part of this agreement, the US will implement new tariffs of 15 percent on Korean imports such as automobiles and auto parts, a reduction from the originally proposed 25 percent.
In return, South Korea committed to investing $350 billion in projects within the US, including sectors like shipbuilding, and pledged an additional $100 billion in energy purchases.
Following the announcement, Trump hinted at inviting Lee to the White House within two weeks; however, the visit will occur later due to the complexities of working-level arrangements.
First Lady Kim Hea Kyung is set to accompany Lee on his journey.
Currently, South Korea does not have an appointed ambassador to the US following the departure of Cho Hyun-dong, as acting Ambassador Lee Joon-ho leads the diplomatic mission in Washington.
When asked about the timeline for appointing a new ambassador, Kang stated that no decision has been made yet.
image source from：asianews
