President Lee to Visit the United States and Mexico Sept. 21–27; Contact with Trump and U.S. Investment in Focus

[Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung will leave on the 21st to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. With major issues—including momentum for North Korea–U.S. dialogue and negotiations over investment in the United States—converging, attention is focused on what messages and solutions President Lee will present at the UN General Assembly. During the gathering, President Lee is expected to make contact with U.S. President Donald Trump in various ways.
Wi Sung-lac, director of Cheong Wa Dae's National Security Office, said at a briefing at Chunchugwan that day that President Lee would attend the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly in New York through the 27th before making a state visit to Mexico.
The most closely watched aspect of the trip is his vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula. In his keynote address to the UN General Assembly on the afternoon of the 22nd, President Lee is expected to outline directions for reforming the UN to resolve global issues and explain the Republic of Korea's contributions. He will also present the international community with a blueprint for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.
He is also expected to focus on creating conditions for the resumption of North Korea–U.S. dialogue. At a press conference on current affairs on the 18th, President Lee described such dialogue as a "very important starting point" for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and said, "We have continued, in our own way, preparatory coordination work so that North Korea–U.S. dialogue can take place."
There is also keen interest in whether President Lee will make contact with U.S. President Donald Trump during the UN General Assembly. Wi said, "There will be separate contacts in various forms with the leaders of major countries, including the United States and Australia," adding, "We intend to continue close exchanges between leaders, discuss ways to cooperate to expand our national interests, and seek to advance bilateral relations."
If a separate contact with President Trump takes place, the resumption of North Korea–U.S. dialogue and investment in the United States could become major agenda items. The United States and South Korea are currently holding final-stage consultations on implementing $350 billion in investment in the United States. Key issues include measures to ensure the commercial viability of the investment projects.
Wi emphasized, "We will use the UN stage to inform the international community of the Republic of Korea's role and commitment to contributing to the resolution of global issues. Following last year's UN General Assembly, where we declared the 'return of democratic Korea,' we aim to use this year's assembly as an opportunity to share globally the leading policy experiences created by democratic Korea over the past year as a global public good." He added, "We will signal the full-fledged start of a series of multilateral diplomacy, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Group of Twenty (G20) in the second half of the year, and reaffirm our status as a globally responsible major power."
He also said that the government would secure support from the UN and the international community for its policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. Wi stated, "We will propose a blueprint for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula at the UN General Assembly, the only universal international organization, to build international momentum for peace on the peninsula. Through pragmatic summit diplomacy centered on the national interest, we will revitalize people's livelihoods and the economy. We will engage with the leaders of major countries attending this assembly without being bound by formalities, discuss practical cooperation in energy, semiconductors, and science and technology, and seek ways to coordinate efforts to advance bilateral relations."

On the morning of the 23rd, President Lee will also attend the Korea Investment Summit 2026, which will bring together economic and financial leaders from South Korea and the United States. He is expected to directly explain the government's artificial intelligence (AI) policies and vision, capital market reforms, the country's economic achievements over the past year, and its key economic policies for the future to global investors.
After completing his schedule in New York, President Lee will travel to Mexico City on the evening of the 23rd. The trip is a state visit at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, marking the first state visit to Mexico by a South Korean president in 16 years.
Following an official welcoming ceremony on the 24th, President Lee will hold a tête-à-tête meeting and an expanded summit meeting with President Sheinbaum. The two leaders are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in trade and investment, energy and mineral supply chains, and future industries such as AI and digital technology, aviation and space, and defense.
On the 25th, President Lee will attend a business forum at the Mexico City World Trade Center and visit the K-EXPO venue. He will begin his journey home on the 26th.
[email protected] Choi Jong-geun Reporter