<기사제목>Presidential Office: "Yoon, Difficult to Meet Trump During Latin America Tour... Ongoing Discussions"

Trump Camp Says "Pre-Inauguration Summit Difficult"

President Yoon Suk-yeol, attending the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, arrived at the 2nd Air Force Base in Lima, Peru, on the 14th (local time) and shook hands with the welcoming officials. Photo by Yonhap News

The Presidential Office stated, "It will be difficult for President Yoon Suk-yeol to meet with President-elect Donald Trump during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Group of Twenty (G20) summits."

A senior official from the Presidential Office said on the 14th (local time) at the press center in Lima, Peru, "The Trump camp has expressed that official overseas summit meetings before the inauguration on January 20 next year will be quite difficult."

The official explained, "It has only been two weeks since the U.S. presidential election ended, and the Trump camp is focusing on internal discussions for key appointments in various fields and dedicating much time to domestic political issues. It is true that many allied countries, including our own, have explored the possibility of preliminary meetings."

Regarding inquiries about future efforts to arrange a meeting with President-elect Trump, the official added, "As it has become difficult to meet Trump during the tour, the return schedule will proceed as planned on the 21st. We will continue to discuss the matter of close contact with President-elect Trump."

President Yoon departed on the 14th for a Latin American tour to attend the APEC and G20 summits held in Peru and Brazil, respectively, and arrived in Lima on the same day.