President Lee's schedule will begin on the 23rd, with a meeting with Koreans upon his arrival in Japan. In the evening of the same day, he will hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba, where they will discuss future-oriented cooperation and current economic and trade issues.
On the 24th, he will meet with members of the Japan-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Association before heading to the US. On the 22nd, Wi Seong-rak, the Presidential Advisor to the President for National Security, said, "The new international trade order and the
"Strategic communication between Japan and South Korea is essential in this unstable security environment," he said, emphasizing that "if the two countries cooperate to resolve common economic and social issues, it will also contribute to the interests of their people."
Furthermore, regarding the issue of past history, Director Wei said, "It is unlikely that a major agreement like the Kim Dae-jung and Obuchi Declarations will be reached at this meeting," and added, "There is a period of preparation."
"Because the time is short and the nature of the meeting is informal, it will be a forum to lay the foundation for serious repair of relations as part of shuttle diplomacy rather than to produce any major results," he explained.
"Contrary to concerns, the relationship is progressing smoothly, a virtuous cycle of cooperation is in play, and we can expect progress toward resolving difficult issues," he said.
The schedule for the US visit will begin with a dinner with fellow Koreans immediately after arriving in Washington on the afternoon of the 24th (local time).
On the same day, he will hold his first summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. As is customary, President Trump will hold a brief question-and-answer session with reporters before the meeting.
The three main topics that the Security Council has made clear are stabilizing the economy and trade, strengthening the security alliance, and developing cooperation in new industries.
There are hopes that the tariff negotiations agreed upon last month will be upgraded to a summit-level agreement and strengthened. Strengthening the security alliance is crucial in light of North Korea's nuclear missile threat, North Korean military cooperation with Russia, and the US-China friction.
The main topic of discussion was how to adapt the US-ROK joint defense posture to the current unstable security environment, including the current friction.
He will deliver a policy speech at the Center for International Studies (CSIS) and also attend a dinner with U.S. political figures.
On the morning of the 26th (27th Korean time), a wreath was laid at Arlington National Cemetery.
After that, he will travel to Philadelphia to visit the Seo Jae-pil Memorial Hall. This is the first visit to the Seo Jae-pil Memorial Hall by a South Korean president in 26 years, since former President Kim Dae-jung.
"This will be a symbolic occasion to reaffirm the roots of the values of freedom and democracy," said Director Wei. Also on the same day, Hanwha will be visiting an oxygen production facility invested in by the company along with senior US government officials.
He plans to visit the summit to confirm the results of US-ROK trade cooperation. Regarding the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju in October, Wi said, "Trump
"There is a possibility that both the president and Chinese President Xi Jinping will participate," he said, predicting that "in that case, the US-China summit may be successful."
The talks are an important issue for the international community, and Gyeongju could be the stage for that,” he said. President Lee will return to Korea after completing his official schedule and is scheduled to arrive in Seoul in the early hours of the 28th.
2025/08/23 07:03 KST
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