High-Level Meeting Held by Chief of Staff, Chief Policy Officer, and National Security Advisor
Briefings on Current Issues Continue to President
Tariff Negotiations Remain Stalled Beyond Expectations
APEC Summit Emerges as a Major Diplomatic Event
Focus on Potential Solutions for Korea-US and Korea-Japan Relations
The Presidential Office effectively spent the Chuseok holiday without a break. This was due to a backlog of pressing issues, including follow-up measures on the Korea-US tariff negotiations, preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju at the end of October, and responses following the fire at the National Information Resources Service. The incident involving the seizure of a Korean-crewed vessel by Israeli forces during the Chuseok holiday has also become a matter of concern.
On the afternoon of October 9, Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff at the Presidential Office, held a high-level meeting on the Korea-US tariff negotiations with Kim Yongbeom, Chief Policy Officer, and Wi Sung-rak, National Security Advisor. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol, as well as Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan, were also present. Although President Lee officially took annual leave on October 10, which is a 'sandwich day,' he plans to receive briefings on current issues from the three chiefs (Chief of Staff, Chief Policy Officer, and National Security Advisor) and carry out necessary tasks.
The Korea-US tariff negotiations are a particularly high-priority issue. It is reported that the Presidential Office focused on discussing follow-up measures based on the in-person report from Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan, who met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on October 4. Minister Kim told reporters on his return to Korea that "there was considerable consensus on issues such as the sensitivity of the Korean foreign exchange market." However, Presidential Office spokesperson Kang Yoojeong stated, "It is not yet the stage to talk about rapid changes in the situation."
Preparations for the APEC summit at the end of October are also a key issue. The APEC summit, to be held in Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1, will be Korea's first time leading a multilateral platform as the chair country. Leaders from 21 member countries will attend, with diplomatic events such as Korea-US and US-China summits drawing global attention. If President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping both visit Korea and sit down together, Korea could position itself as a 'bridge' between the US and China. However, there is a variable: President Trump is scheduled to visit Korea on October 29 and may hold Korea-US and US-China summits on the same day or over a two-day period, but he may depart without attending the main APEC summit events. A senior official at the Presidential Office said, "Overall consultations are ongoing, and nothing can be predicted at this stage."
The Korea-Japan relationship, which has entered a new phase ahead of APEC, also depends on President Lee. Sanae Takaichi, the new president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is expected to take office soon as the successor to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Given that Takaichi is known for her far-right stance, which differs from Ishiba's, there is interest in whether the 'shuttle diplomacy' policy will continue.
Meanwhile, ahead of President Trump's visit to Korea, Allison Hooker, U.S. Under Secretary of State and a recognized 'Korean Peninsula expert' in the U.S. administration, arrived in Korea on October 10. Under Secretary Hooker was also involved in North Korea-US negotiations during the first Trump administration. On the afternoon of the same day, Park Yunju, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to hold the "10th Korea-US Strategic Dialogue of Vice Foreign Ministers" with Under Secretary Hooker at the Government Complex Seoul.
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