President Lee Jae-myung will hold a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on the 29th on the sidelines of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit in Gyeongju. This comes as the tariff talks with the United States, which had been facing difficulties, have found some common ground, and the Korean negotiating team is urgently departing for the United States in an all-out push. As neither side wants a "no deal," the APEC summit is drawing attention as a potential turning point in the negotiations.
According to the presidential office on the 24th, President Trump will pay a state visit to Korea on the afternoon of the 29th, the first day of the APEC summit, to meet President Lee. Deputy Minister Wi Sung-lac of the Office of National Security said at a briefing at the Yongsan presidential office that day, "It is difficult to speak to the outlook for concluding the tariff talks," while noting that security talks, including a revision to the Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement, are close to partial agreement. Wi said, "It is true that there has been a certain understanding in the security field," adding, "It is uncertain whether an agreement will come out on the occasion of this meeting, but we are making efforts."
On the 30th, the leaders of Korea and Canada will hold a bilateral meeting to discuss defense industry cooperation and more. Deputy Minister Wi said, "Previously, we also met with Canadian Prime Minister Carney and addressed defense industry as a major pending issue," adding, "We expect defense industry cooperation to be addressed this time as well." The following day, on the 31st, is the APEC summit's plenary session, where member states will discuss ▲ cooperation measures to promote trade and investment ▲ AI (artificial intelligence) development and demographic structure.
A South Korea-China summit with President Xi Jinping will be held on the last day of the plenary, on Nov. 1. Xi will visit Korea as a state guest. After President Lee presides over the second plenary session in the morning that day and hands over the next chair to Xi, the two sides will immediately hold a South Korea-China summit in the afternoon of the same day.
A summit with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has not been finalized. Deputy Minister Wi said, "We are preparing for the meeting, and the date is being narrowed down at the working level." Takaichi is considered a far-right figure, often likened to "female Abe" and "Trump MAGA." The key question is whether the "shuttle diplomacy" restored with former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba can be continued. Deputy Minister Wi said, "We are making the Korea-U.S. alliance, the Korea-Japan partnership, and Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation the central axis of diplomacy," adding, "We will consult with Japan's new government from the same position."