It was reported on October 4 that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a one-day visit to South Korea on the 29th. There is speculation that he may not attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju scheduled for the 31st, and instead, after holding only the South Korea-U.S. and U.S.-China summit meetings, he may depart the country immediately.
According to diplomatic sources, President Trump is planning an Asian tour from the 26th to the 29th, which includes South Korea. Before the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, he is expected to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the 26th and 27th, and then head to Japan on the 27th. The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that President Trump is coordinating a two-night, three-day visit to Japan from the 27th to the 29th. The U.S.-Japan summit is expected to be held on the 28th.
Given this schedule, the most likely date for President Trump’s visit to South Korea is the 29th. Since it is unlikely that he will stay in South Korea from the 31st, when the main APEC Summit is held, through November 1, there is a possibility that he will remain in South Korea for just one day on the 29th and then immediately depart for home. However, as there are still many variables, such as the schedule and location of the U.S.-China summit, the situation remains fluid until an official announcement is made by the U.S. side.
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