Presidential Office: "Plans to Discuss Ways to Advance the Korea-US Alliance"
From Trade to Defense Budget Increases... Numerous Issues Await at the Summit
Korea-US Summit After 82 Days in Office... Possibility of Visiting Japan "Being Explored"
President Lee Jaemyung will hold a Korea-US summit with President Donald Trump in the United States on the 25th. This summit, arranged at the invitation of President Trump, will take place 82 days after President Lee's inauguration. The two leaders are expected to discuss security issues, including the Korea-US alliance, as well as a mutual tariff agreement.
Presidential Office: "Plans to Discuss Ways to Advance the Korea-US Alliance"
On the 12th, the Presidential Office announced that President Lee had agreed to hold a summit with President Trump on the 25th. Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, stated during a briefing, "President Lee plans to visit the United States from the 24th to the 26th at the invitation of President Trump," adding, "This meeting will be the first face-to-face summit between the two leaders, and they will discuss ways to advance the Korea-US alliance into a future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance in response to the changing international security and economic environment."
President Lee's visit to the United States is expected to be a "working visit." Spokesperson Kang explained, "The focus of this visit is to have in-depth discussions on issues of mutual interest." As it is not a state or official visit, welcoming ceremonies at the airport and other locations will be omitted. Although the participation of a business delegation, including representatives from the business community, has not been discussed, Kang noted, "There is a willingness to accompany them." In addition to the summit with President Trump at the White House, details on other events, such as a working luncheon, will be announced once finalized. Kang also stated that First Lady Kim Hye-kyung will accompany President Lee on the trip.
Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, is answering reporters' questions after a briefing on the Korea-US summit held at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News
Regarding the summit agenda, Spokesperson Kang said, "While further strengthening the robust Korea-US joint defense posture, the two leaders will also discuss ways to cooperate on establishing peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula." She added, "Based on the recently concluded tariff negotiations, the two leaders are expected to discuss ways to further strengthen economic cooperation in manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors, batteries, and shipbuilding, as well as economic security partnerships in areas such as advanced technology and critical minerals."
It remains uncertain whether the two countries will issue a joint statement following the Korea-US summit. The Korean government plans to continue consultations with the US government up until the summit with the goal of producing an agreement. If a joint statement is released, it is likely to include details of the "mutual tariff negotiations" dramatically concluded on July 31, as well as issues related to the Korea-US alliance and Korea-US-Japan security cooperation.
From Trade to Defense Budget Increases... Numerous Issues on the Summit Agenda
On trade, the mutual tariff negotiations may include more concrete plans for operating a $350 billion (approximately 485 trillion won) Korea-US investment fund proposed by the Korean government. In addition to the investment fund, both existing and new investment plans by private companies are expected to be disclosed. President Trump posted on his social media, "The amount of Korea's investment in the US will be announced at the White House during the bilateral summit within two weeks."
Defense and security issues?including an increase in defense spending, the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on the cost-sharing for US Forces Korea, and strategies regarding China?were not addressed in the trade negotiations and may be discussed at this summit. In particular, President Trump is expected to highlight these security issues under the theme of "modernizing the Korea-US alliance." The modernization of the alliance encompasses a wide range of issues, including changes to the size and role of US Forces Korea, increases in defense spending, and the transfer of wartime operational control.
The Korean government plans to address the issue of modernizing the Korea-US alliance in a way that prioritizes national interests and resolves various issues gradually. The Presidential Office has also indicated its intention to leverage increased Korean contributions to assert its position on various issues during the negotiations. Additionally, given the differing perspectives within the US on changes to the size and role of US Forces Korea, the Korean side is expected to respond flexibly while monitoring developments.
Korea-US Summit After 82 Days in Office... Possibility of Visiting Japan "Under Consideration"
Meanwhile, former President Yoon Suk-yeol met with former US President Joe Biden just 11 days after his inauguration on May 21, 2022, while former President Moon Jae-in traveled to the US to hold a summit with President Trump on June 30, 2017, the 51st day of his presidency. Previous presidents, including Park Geun-hye (71 days), Lee Myung-bak (54 days), and Roh Moo-hyun (79 days), also visited the US president relatively early in their terms.
President Lee had originally planned to meet President Trump in Canada during the G7 summit from June 15 to 17, but the summit was canceled after President Trump returned to the US due to rapidly changing circumstances in the Middle East. There was also speculation that a Korea-US summit might be held at the NATO summit in the Netherlands on June 24-25, but this did not materialize after President Lee decided not to attend.
President Lee Jae-myung is shaking hands and taking a commemorative photo with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Korea-Japan summit held at the G7 summit venue in Canmore, Alberta, Canada, on the 17th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News
The date of the Korea-Japan summit was not announced during the briefing. Japanese media reported that President Lee may visit Japan on the 23rd, prior to his trip to the US, to hold a summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. In response to related questions, Spokesperson Kang said, "There was a mutual understanding about resuming shuttle diplomacy between the leaders of Korea and Japan," but added, "Various possibilities are being considered." If President Lee's visit to Japan is realized, he would become the first Korean president to visit Japan before visiting the United States.
President Lee and Prime Minister Ishiba previously held a summit in Canmore, Canada, on June 17, during the G7 summit.
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