President Lee Jae-myung will hold a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on the 25th, the presidential office officially announced on the 12th. President Lee will make an official working visit to the U.S. from the 24th to the 26th to attend the summit. Discussions are expected to include security issues such as cooperation measures for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the sharing of defense costs, as well as additional discussions on tariff negotiations related to the management of a $350 billion fund.
Presidential office Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung noted during a morning briefing at the Yongsan presidential office that "President Lee Jae-myung is scheduled to visit the U.S. from August 24th to 26th at the invitation of President Trump to hold the Korea-U.S. summit on August 25th." This summit will mark the first meeting between the two leaders 82 days after President Lee took office.
The summit will address cooperation measures for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and additional issues regarding the tariff negotiations concluded last month.
Spokesperson Kang stated, "This meeting will be the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders, and they are expected to discuss ways to evolve the Korea-U.S. alliance into a future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance in response to the changing international security and economic environment."
In particular, the agenda will likely focus on key security issues such as increasing defense spending, raising the sharing of costs for U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, and adjusting the role of U.S. forces in South Korea. It is also expected that detailed discussions will take place regarding the management of the $350 billion investment fund, which both countries had differing views on concerning U.S. agricultural imports.
Spokesperson Kang said, "We will also discuss measures for cooperation to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization, while further strengthening the solid Korea-U.S. combined defense posture." He added, "The two leaders are expected to agree on ways to enhance economic cooperation, focusing on sectors such as semiconductors, batteries, and shipbuilding, as well as strengthening economic security partnerships concerning critical minerals and advanced technologies based on the tariff negotiations that have been concluded this time."
President Lee will have a summit and working lunch with President Trump at the White House. This visit to the U.S. is an official working trip, and Kim Hye-kyung will also accompany him.
Spokesperson Kang explained, "This is an official working visit," adding that "the focus is on having substantive and deep discussions on topics of mutual interest between the two leaders. Unlike an official visit, there will be no official welcoming ceremony."
Regarding the possibility of issuing a joint statement after the summit, he noted, "We are currently in discussions with the U.S. side about whether there will be an announcement of the summit results, including the tariff agreement, but as of now, I understand that nothing has been determined."
The economic delegation is also expected to accompany the visit to the U.S. Spokesperson Kang mentioned, "There is an intention to bring the economic delegation along," but added, "There are no practical discussions currently taking place, so it is not at a stage to make an announcement. If preparations are made, it will be announced."
Earlier, President Trump announced the conclusion of the tariff negotiations on the 31st of last month, predicting that "President Lee will visit the White House within two weeks." However, the date for the summit was somewhat delayed compared to expectations. In this regard, Spokesperson Kang explained, "Due to practical negotiations and the schedules of diplomatic authorities between the two countries, that date (for the meeting on the 25th) was finalized."
Meanwhile, the presidential office hinted at the possibility of talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Spokesperson Kang said, "There has been communication between the two countries suggesting a resumption of shuttle diplomacy, and we are exploring the possibility of a meeting between the leaders as part of that communication."
However, it was noted that "no specific schedule has been set yet, and nothing has been decided." Earlier, Japanese local media reported that the governments of South Korea and Japan were coordinating a meeting between President Lee and Prime Minister Ishiba ahead of the Korea-U.S. summit.