S.Korea-US summit set for Aug. 25 with focus on security, economy

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea and US President Donald Trump will meet face to face for the first time on Aug. 25 in Washington to discuss a broad agenda that includes regional security, defense spending and economic cooperation.

According to the South Korean presidential office on Tuesday, Lee will visit Washington, D.C. from Aug. 24 to 26 at Trump’s invitation. The trip will be Lee’s first to the US as president since his inauguration in early June.

“The heads of the two states will explore various ways to advance the South Korea-US alliance into a future-oriented, comprehensive strategic partnership that responds to shifting global security and economic landscapes,” presidential spokeswoman Kang Yu-jung said at a press briefing.

They will also explore cooperation to promote peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula while strengthening the allies' joint defense posture, Kang added.

Trump alluded to an imminent meeting with Lee after Washington and Seoul reached a new trade agreement late last month that will lower US tariffs on Korean imports to 15% from 25%.

The two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation in various industries, including semiconductors, batteries, and shipbuilding, as well as broader economic security.

The presidential office described the trip as an official visit, not a state visit, emphasizing that the focus will be on in-depth discussions of key pending issues.

In addition to the summit, the two presidents are scheduled to attend a luncheon; other events will be finalized later.

BUSINESS DELIGATION

A delegation of South Korean business leaders will accompany Lee during his US trip.

They are expected to include Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo.

Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan and HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun are also expected to join the delegation.

Many of these conglomerates maintain substantial operations in the US, and their chiefs were credited with helping in the recent tariff negotiations.

During his US visit, President Lee is expected to visit Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, acquired by Hanwha Group, said presidential spokesperson Kang.

The shipyard has been central to the “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again,” or MASGA, initiative, which played a key role in sealing the new US-South Korean tariff deal.

A day before the deal was clinched, Russell Vought, the White House budget director, and John Phelan, US Navy secretary, toured the shipyard with Hanwha Vice Chairman Kim.

US MILITARY IN SOUTH KOREA

The summit agenda may also include adjustments to the role of US forces stationed in South Korea – a topic Washington has pressed for years. Proposals could involve reducing troop numbers.

Some analysts warn that Trump could demand the full opening of the Korean agricultural market, especially rice and beef.

Before traveling to the US, Lee is also projected to stop in Japan for a summit with Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, according to Japanese media reports.

“We are reviewing various options, including the resumption of shuttle diplomacy between the two countries,” said Kang.

The South Korea-US summit was initially expected to take place on the sidelines of the G7 gathering in Calgary in mid-June, but was canceled when Trump abruptly returned to Washington to address Middle East issues.

Soon after taking office in early June, Lee had a phone call with Trump, who congratulated Lee on his election as South Korea's leader.

During the phone conversation, they agreed to pursue a swift resolution to the tariff dispute, though more contentious matters – including strategic export controls and defense burden-sharing – were reportedly left off the agenda.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com

Sookyung Seo edited this article.