Yoon to Depart for NATO on 27th... First Korea-US-Japan Summit in 4 Years and 9 Months (Comprehensive)

President Yoon Confirms 14 Diplomatic Schedules Including NATO Meeting
First Lady Kim Keon-hee Accompanies... Handles Spouse's Schedule
Japan-South Korea Summit Canceled... Presidential Office Says "No Informal Meeting Expected"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol is scheduled to attend 14 diplomatic events, including a trilateral summit with the United States and Japan, during the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit held in Madrid, Spain, on the 29th and 30th (local time).

A presidential office official held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the afternoon of the 26th and explained President Yoon’s schedule: "So far, 14 events have been confirmed. These include the main purpose of this trip?the NATO Allies-Partners meeting, two meetings with NATO Secretary General and King Felipe VI of Spain, nine bilateral meetings, one trilateral meeting among Korea, the U.S., and Japan, and one luncheon with Spanish business leaders, totaling 14 events."

President Yoon, who is heading to Spain accompanied by Chief Presidential Secretary Kim Dae-gi and National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han, will begin official engagements from the afternoon of the 28th. On that day, President Yoon will hold a summit with Finnish President Sauli Niinist?, followed by a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. In the evening, he will attend a welcome gala dinner hosted by King Felipe VI of Spain, accompanied by First Lady Kim Keon-hee.

The following day, Wednesday the 29th, marks the official opening of the NATO summit. President Yoon has a scheduled meeting with King Felipe VI of Spain in the morning. Afterwards, he will hold bilateral talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. During these meetings, President Yoon is expected to discuss economic security and future growth sectors such as semiconductors, nuclear power, and clean energy with the leaders of the Netherlands, Poland, and Denmark.

At 3 p.m. on the same day, President Yoon will participate in the NATO Allies-Partners summit, where he is expected to speak on topics including ▲ the evaluation of the cooperation between Korea and NATO since establishing a global partnership in 2006 ▲ Korea’s active role in responding to international security crises ▲ and a call for international attention and support regarding North Korea’s denuclearization.

During this time, there is a possibility of "pull aside" informal meetings. The official said, "We may pursue informal talks with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission and the European Council, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis."

Just before attending the plenary session, President Yoon will hold a trilateral summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The Korea-U.S.-Japan summit is tentatively scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time on the 29th (9:30 p.m. Korean time on the 29th), though the final time may change, according to the official.

That evening, President Yoon and the First Lady will hold a dinner meeting with about 100 members of the Korean community representing various sectors in Spain.

On the last day of the trip, the 30th, meetings with the Czech and British leaders are scheduled. The official stated, "We plan to discuss specific economic cooperation issues with these countries."

The luncheon that day will be held with Spanish business leaders. The official explained, "Spain is the fourth-largest economy in Europe after Germany, France, and Italy, and is a promising partner for cooperation in areas such as digital technology, clean energy, and expansion into third countries including Latin America. We expect sales diplomacy to promote investment in Korea as well."

First Lady Kim Keon-hee will also accompany President Yoon during the NATO summit schedule. A separate spouses’ session will be held for the spouses of participating leaders at the NATO summit in Spain. The official said, "As already announced in Spain, the official schedule for spouses is tightly packed."

Starting with attending a dinner hosted by the King and Queen of Spain at the Royal Palace of Madrid on the 28th (local time), Mrs. Kim will participate in a tour of the Spanish Royal Palace, the Royal Glass Factory, and the Reina Sof?a Museum on the 29th.

On the evening of the 29th, she will also attend the Korean community dinner meeting together with President Yoon. On the last day, the 30th, she plans to visit the Royal Opera House to watch a rehearsal.

The much-anticipated Korea-Japan summit and the four-nation summit involving Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand have effectively been canceled. There is unlikely to be even a "pull aside" informal meeting between the Korean and Japanese leaders. The official explained, "There has been no discussion on issues that Korea and Japan need to resolve before the Japanese House of Councillors election (such as forced labor). If there is nothing to report to the media after the meeting, it is better not to hold it."

However, President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida will meet at least three times during the trip: at the dinner hosted by the King of Spain, the NATO summit, and the Korea-U.S.-Japan summit.

Regarding the four-nation summit, the official said, "The schedule is too tight, and it is currently uncertain whether there is a separate agenda. Considering the nature of the NATO meeting, we are concerned whether there will be enough time for separate meetings with invited countries."