To Deliver Seventh Keynote Address at the UN General Assembly
First Sitting President to Preside Over UN Security Council Public Debate on "AI and International Peace and Security"
To Hold Talks with Leaders of the UN, France, Italy, Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic, and Poland on Key Issues
To Host the "Korea Investment Summit" with Leading Figures from New York's Financial Sector
To Discuss Cooperation on AI and More in Meeting with BlackRock Chairman
President Lee Jaemyung will visit New York, United States, from September 22 to 26, 2025, on the occasion of attending the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. During this period, President Lee will deliver the seventh keynote speech at the UN General Assembly High-Level Session and, for the first time as a sitting president, preside over a public debate at the UN Security Council. In addition, President Lee does not plan to hold a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he had a summit at the end of last month, but will instead meet with the leaders of France and Italy to discuss current issues.
On September 19, National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak announced these plans during a press briefing held at the presidential office in Yongsan. Advisor Wi stated, "On the first day of arrival, September 22 local time, President Lee will meet with Larry Fink, Chairman of the World Economic Forum and CEO of BlackRock, to discuss cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) and energy transition. He will also meet with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to request the legislature's role in advancing Korea-U.S. relations." He added, "In the evening, President Lee will attend a meeting with the Korean community in New York, spending time with Korean-Americans who are active across various fields and generations."
On September 23, President Lee will deliver a keynote address at the UN General Assembly High-Level Session. As the seventh speaker, he will address a gathering of world leaders-a significant stage where governments declare their foreign policies. Advisor Wi said, "Through his keynote speech, President Lee plans to proclaim the 'Return of Democratic Korea' and present our government's diplomatic vision, including policy on the Korean Peninsula. He will also outline Korea's contributions to achieving peace and prosperity for humanity."
Later in the afternoon, President Lee will meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss ways to strengthen UN-centered multilateralism in response to global challenges and will ask the Secretary-General for support in establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation. In the evening, he will have dinner with opinion leaders from various sectors in the United States to exchange views and hear suggestions for advancing Korea-U.S. relations.
At 3 p.m. on September 24, President Lee will become the first sitting president to preside over a public debate at the UN Security Council. The meeting, themed "AI and International Peace and Security," will see President Lee lead discussions on joint responses for global peace and prosperity under the initiative of "AI for All."
On the morning of September 25, President Lee will attend the "Korea Investment Summit" on Wall Street, where key figures from the economic and financial sectors of Korea and the U.S. will be present. President Lee plans to introduce the government's economic policies to major global investors and request investments in Korea. Advisor Wi stated, "Through this, we expect to not only resolve the 'Korea Discount' but also actively promote the 'Korea Premium,' further invigorating the Korean stock market, which has been reaching record highs this year."
Advisor Wi explained that President Lee aims to enhance Korea's status as a returned democratic nation and a globally responsible power on the occasion of this New York visit. He emphasized that Korea, which defended its democracy from the brink of war with UN support and grew from an aid recipient to a donor country, is now overcoming a crisis of democracy and, in this 80th anniversary year of liberation, is contributing to the global agenda of peace, development, and human rights as a responsible power. Advisor Wi further noted that President Lee's focus on people's livelihoods in domestic policy will also be implemented internationally by meeting with the World Economic Forum chairman and hosting the Korea Investment Summit, demonstrating the government's commitment to improving people's lives on the global stage.
He also predicted that this New York visit would accelerate Korea's practical, national-interest-centered diplomacy. Advisor Wi said, "Through meetings with the UN Secretary-General, leaders of G7 nations such as France and Italy, as well as Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic, and Poland, President Lee will strengthen ties and discuss practical cooperation in areas such as defense infrastructure, putting national-interest-centered pragmatic diplomacy into practice." He added, "Through this visit, which marks President Lee's substantive debut on the multilateral stage, we will comprehensively advance Korea's contributions to the international community as a democratic nation, strengthen bilateral relations with key countries, and enhance global trust in the Korean economy."
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