Yoon Attends APEC and G20 Summits... Discusses Korea-China, Korea-US, and Korea-US-Japan Summit Meetings (Comprehensive)

Trump President-Elect Meeting Planned... "In Close Communication"
Discussion of Meeting with Xi Jinping, President of China
"Expanding Diplomatic Horizons and Practical Cooperation to Latin America"

Yonhap News

President Yoon Suk-yeol will visit Peru and Brazil from the 14th to the 21st to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Group of Twenty (G20) summits, respectively. This multilateral meeting will also serve as an opportunity to actively discuss bilateral summits between South Korea and China, South Korea, the United States, and Japan, as well as South Korea and Japan.

Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 12th, stating, "We will implement responsible diplomacy as a global pivotal country on the diplomatic stage of multilateral summits," adding, "This signifies expanding our diplomatic horizon and practical cooperation to Latin America."

In particular, President Yoon is pushing for a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during this multilateral summit.

A senior official from the Presidential Office responded to reporters' questions about the possibility of a meeting between the two sides, saying, "It is true that we are maintaining close communication with President-elect Trump's team," and added, "There are various variables regarding the meeting schedule, and we will inform you if there are any new developments."

Plans for Bilateral Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba

Taking advantage of this overseas trip, President Yoon is also coordinating a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru. A Presidential Office official explained, "Discussions regarding the South Korea-Japan summit are underway, and we are actively coordinating to ensure the summit takes place."

A South Korea-China summit is also under discussion. The Presidential Office added that regarding the summit between President Yoon and Chinese President Xi Jinping, "Rather than having a special agenda, discussions will focus on ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries."

President Yoon will depart on the 14th to attend the APEC summit held in Lima, the capital of Peru. On the morning of the 15th, at the first session of the APEC summit, President Yoon is expected to emphasize South Korea's leadership in discussions to create a free and stable trade and investment environment as the chair country of APEC next year.

Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, is briefing on President Yoon Suk-yeol's attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Group of Twenty (G20) summits on the 12th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Deputy Director Kim said, "On the 15th, President Yoon will engage in dialogue with participants at the 'APEC Business Advisory Council Luncheon' and deliver a keynote speech at the 'CEO Summit,'" adding, "On the morning of the 16th, the APEC leaders will participate in a 'retreat' event to foster camaraderie." He continued, "From the afternoon of the same day, President Yoon will begin his official visit schedule in Peru," explaining, "After attending the official welcoming ceremony held at the Lima Presidential Palace, he will hold bilateral summits, exchange honors, sign memorandums of understanding (MOUs), and continue with separate defense industry events." President Yoon and the President of Peru will hold a commemorative event signing the nameplates to be attached to ships being built by Korean companies at a Peruvian shipyard.

Signing MOUs on Defense, Minerals, Tourism, and ICT with Peru

In particular, with Peru, a key ally in Latin America, multiple cooperation MOUs will be signed focusing on defense, key minerals, tourism, and information and communication technology (ICT). A Presidential Office official stated, "Peru is the second country in South America, after Chile, to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)," adding, "It is a mineral-rich country ranked second in the world in copper production, second in zinc, and third in molybdenum, so mutually complementary economic cooperation can be expected."

On the morning of the 17th, President Yoon will move to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the G20 summit will be held. On the first day of the G20 summit on the 18th, President Yoon will attend the 'Global Alliance to End Hunger and Poverty Launch Ceremony' and present South Korea's concrete contribution plans in sessions aimed at eradicating social poverty and hunger. President Yoon plans to announce directions such as expanding global food aid projects and urge G20-wide efforts to support developing countries' growth as a fundamental solution to hunger and poverty.

Deputy Director Kim said, "President Yoon will emphasize South Korea's contributions to the international community's shared vision on digitalization, energy transition, and the eradication of hunger and poverty at this year's APEC and G20 summits," adding, "He will propose various cooperation measures utilizing our digital capabilities to bridge the development and digital gaps in the international community." On the 19th, President Yoon plans to propose international cooperation to overcome the climate crisis and transition to clean energy, expressing a constructive commitment to addressing plastic pollution.

Deputy Director Kim explained, "Through this summit, President Yoon will emphasize the necessity of solidarity that the rule-based international order must be upheld for a sustainable future of the international community, serving as a bridge connecting developing and developed countries," adding, "During the trip, he plans to hold bilateral meetings with multiple countries including Vietnam, Mexico, Brunei, and Japan, and discuss various practical cooperation." Meanwhile, First Lady Kim Geon-hee will not accompany the President on this trip.

Park Chun-seop, Chief Economic Secretary to the President, is briefing on President Yoon Suk-yeol's attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Group of Twenty (G20) summits at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News