President Lee Jae Myung to Visit the U.S. and Mexico from 21 to 27; Contact with Trump and U.S. Investment in Focus

[Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung will depart on the 21st for New York, the United States, to attend the UN General Assembly. As major issues—including prospects for North Korea-U.S. dialogue and negotiations over investment in the United States—converge, attention is focused on what message and solutions Lee will present at the UN General Assembly. Taking advantage of the assembly, President Lee is expected to make contact with U.S. President Donald Trump and others through various channels.
Wi Sung-lac, director of Cheong Wa Dae's National Security Office, said at a briefing at Chunchugwan that President Lee would attend the high-level week of the UN General Assembly in New York through the 27th, followed by a state visit to Mexico.
The most notable aspect is the initiative for peace on the Korean Peninsula. In his keynote speech at the UN General Assembly on the afternoon of the 22nd, President Lee is expected to outline directions for UN reform to help resolve global problems and South Korea's contributions, while explaining to the international community a blueprint for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.
He is expected to place particular emphasis 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 North Korea-U.S. dialogue as a "very important starting point" for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and said, "We have continued our own preparatory coordination efforts to create conditions in which North Korea-U.S. dialogue can take place."
Attention is also focused on whether President Lee will contact U.S. President Donald Trump during the UN General Assembly. Wi said, "Separate contacts in various forms are planned with leaders of major countries, including the United States and Australia. We intend to continue close exchanges among leaders and discuss ways to cooperate to advance our national interests."
If a separate contact with President Trump takes place, the resumption of North Korea-U.S. dialogue and investment in the United States could be among the main agenda items. South Korea and the United States are currently continuing last-minute negotiations over the implementation of $350 billion in investment in the United States. Measures to ensure the commercial viability of investment projects are considered a major sticking point.
Wi emphasized, "We will make known at the UN the Republic of Korea's role and commitment to contributing to the resolution of global problems. Following last year's declaration at the UN General Assembly of 'the return of democratic Korea,' we intend to use this year's assembly as an opportunity to spread the leading policy experiences created by democratic Korea over the past year as a global public good." He added, "Through this, we will signal the full-fledged launch of a series of multilateral diplomatic engagements involving Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Group of Twenty (G20) and other forums in the second half of the year, and reaffirm our standing as a globally responsible power."
He also said the government would seek to secure support from the UN and the international community for its policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. Wi said, "We will propose a blueprint for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula at the UN General Assembly, the stage of the only universal international organization, and create international momentum for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Through pragmatic summit diplomacy focused on the national interest, we will inject vitality into people's livelihoods and the economy. We will engage with the leaders of major countries attending this assembly without being bound by protocol, discuss substantive cooperation in energy, semiconductors, science and technology, and other areas, and seek coordinated measures to advance bilateral relations."

On the morning of the 23rd, President Lee will also attend Korea Investment Summit 2026, which will bring together economic and financial figures from South Korea and the United States. At the event, he will personally explain to global investors the government's artificial intelligence (AI) policies and vision, capital-market reform, the country's economic achievements over the past year, and key economic policies going forward.
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 and will be the first state visit by a South Korean leader to Mexico in 16 years.
Following an official welcoming ceremony on the 24th, President Lee will hold one-on-one and expanded summit talks with President Sheinbaum. The two leaders are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in trade and investment, energy and mineral supply chains, AI and digital technologies, aviation and space, defense industries, and other future-oriented sectors.
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 return journey on the 26th.
[email protected] Choi Jong-geun Reporter