Delivers Seventh Keynote Speech at the UN General Assembly
First Sitting President to Preside Over UN Security Council Open Debate
Chairs Session on "AI and International Peace and Security"
Meets with Leaders of the UN, France, Italy, Uzbe
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 high-level session of the UN General Assembly and, for the first time as a sitting president, preside over an open debate at the UN Security Council. In addition, President Lee does not plan to hold a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he met at the end of last month, but will 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 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, Chair of the World Economic Forum and Chairman 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 community meeting to spend time with members of the New York Korean community who are active across various fields and generations."
On September 23, President Lee will deliver a keynote speech at the high-level session of the UN General Assembly. As the seventh speaker, he will address an audience of world leaders, making this an important stage for announcing national foreign policies. Advisor Wi explained, "Through his keynote speech, President Lee will declare the 'Return of Democratic Korea' and present our government's diplomatic vision, including policies on the Korean Peninsula. He will also outline Korea's plans to contribute to global peace and prosperity."
Regarding the much-anticipated possibility of a second Korea-U.S. summit, Advisor Wi clarified, "There are no plans for a meeting with President Donald Trump." When asked about the possibility of an informal meeting, he said, "It may or may not happen on site. It is difficult to say at this time." In response to a question about whether this means that coordination on tariff negotiations will be difficult during this trip, Advisor Wi stated, "This is an issue that needs to be coordinated at the ministerial and working levels. Discussions between leaders come afterward," and confirmed that Korea's negotiation team will not accompany President Lee on this trip.
Advisor Wi further explained, "President Trump and President Lee recently held a summit, and there is a possibility of another meeting in October." He added, "This time, the schedule and circumstances are complex, so it was not planned." The potential "October meeting" appears to refer to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju. He also mentioned, "There is a possibility that Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit Korea, and if he does, a bilateral summit is also expected."
Later in the afternoon of September 23, 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 for the Secretary-General's support for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation. In the evening, he will have dinner with American opinion leaders to listen to their suggestions and exchange views on advancing Korea-U.S. relations.
Notably, at 3 p.m. on September 24, President Lee will become the first sitting president to preside over an open debate at the Security Council. The meeting, themed "AI and International Peace and Security," will see President Lee lead discussions on joint responses for peace and prosperity under the banner of "AI for All." On the morning of September 25, he will attend the "Korea Investment Summit" on Wall Street, where key figures from the financial sectors of both Korea and the United States will be present. President Lee will meet with major global investors to introduce the government's economic policies and request investments in Korea. Advisor Wi stated, "Through this, we expect not only to overcome the 'Korea Discount' but also to actively promote the 'Korea Premium,' thereby injecting more vitality into the Korean stock market, which is setting new annual highs."
Advisor Wi explained that President Lee aims to enhance Korea's status as a returned democratic nation and a globally responsible power through this visit to New York. He emphasized that Korea, which safeguarded democracy from the brink of war with UN support and has grown from an aid recipient to a donor country, is now overcoming a crisis of democracy and, in this 80th year since liberation, is contributing to peace, development, and human rights as a globally responsible nation. Advisor Wi also noted that President Lee's focus on the people's economy will be reflected internationally by meeting with the Chair of the World Economic Forum and hosting the Korea Investment Summit, thereby continuing his administration's commitment to the people's economy on the global stage.
Furthermore, the visit to New York is expected to accelerate Korea's practical, national-interest-centered diplomacy. Advisor Wi stated, "Through meetings with the UN Secretary-General and leaders of G7 countries such as France and Italy, as well as Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic, and Poland, President Lee will strengthen ties with these leaders and discuss practical cooperation, including in defense infrastructure, to implement pragmatic, interest-based diplomacy. Through this debut on the multilateral stage, President Lee will comprehensively enhance Korea's contributions to the international community as a democratic nation, strengthen bilateral relations with major countries, and improve international trust in the Korean economy."
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