President Lee Jae-myung on October 26 began what’s being dubbed a “super week of summit diplomacy,” holding a series of high-stakes meetings with w...
President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung observe the national flag-raising ceremony during a meeting with the Korean community at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 26, ahead of the ASEAN summit.
/ Reporter Kim Chang-gil President Lee Jae-myung on October 26 began what’s being dubbed a “super week of summit diplomacy,” holding a series of high-stakes meetings with world leaders, including those of the U.S., China and Japan. The talks will test his diplomatic prowess, as key issues such as tariff negotiations and regional cooperation dominate the agenda. The super week began when Lee arrived in Malaysia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit. It marks his third multilateral appearance since taking office, following the G7 summit in Canada in June and the UN General Assembly in New York last month. On October 27, Lee is scheduled to hold a summit with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, focusing on cooperation to combat online scams. He will then attend the Korea–ASEAN and ASEAN+3 summits, before meeting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The goal is to reaffirm Seoul’s commitment to ASEAN and strengthen multilayered cooperation across the region. The centerpiece of the super week will be the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, set for October 31 to November 1 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, the first APEC meeting hosted by Korea in 20 years. U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit as state guests, while Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will make her first trip to Korea since taking office. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said on KBS that the APEC summit would be “a chance to demonstrate Korea’s leadership by shaping a new framework for cooperation suited to the changing era,” adding that Seoul also seeks to “advance national interests through bilateral negotiations.” Lee will deliver a keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit on October 29, and the same day hold his second summit with President Trump. Alongside the Korea–U.S. tariff talks, the two are expected to discuss a US$350 billion investment fund in the U.S., increases in defense spending, and a revision to the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement. A meeting with Prime Minister Takaichi is being arranged for October 30. Lee has prioritized improving Korea–Japan relations, having met former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba three times before Takaichi’s election. Observers will be watching closely to see if the two leaders can build on that momentum despite Takaichi’s reputation as a staunch conservative. Wi noted that Takaichi “places great importance on Korea–Japan relations,” expressing hope that “a successful first meeting between the two leaders will pave the way for a stronger partnership.” Lee is also expected to hold bilateral talks with other leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. A U.S.–China summit between Presidents Trump and Xi is also scheduled for the same day. The two leaders are expected to discuss tariffs, export and import controls on rare earths, soybeans, semiconductors, and software, as well as cross-Strait issues. The outcome of their meeting is likely to influence the Korea–China summit that will follow the APEC gathering. Wi said that “the space for consultations between Korea and China could expand regarding various supply chain constraints, including those involving rare earth elements.” President Lee will hold his first Korea–China summit with President Xi Jinping on November 1. Xi’s visit marks his first trip to Korea in 11 years, since 2014. The talks are expected to cover expanded economic cooperation, normalization of bilateral relations, and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Wi said regarding the Korea–China summit, “Amid intensifying U.S.–China tensions, we must secure China’s cooperation for denuclearization, peace, and stability on the Korean Peninsula, while also finding room for maneuver in practical areas of economic cooperation.” President Lee is scheduled to meet Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on November 2.
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