President Lee to Meet Trump During U.S.-Mexico Trip... Troop Deployment and U.S. Investment: One Hurdle After Another

[Financial News] President Lee departed for New York on the 21st to attend the United Nations General Assembly, which is being held there. In South Korea, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik offered his resignation, taking overall responsibility amid personnel problems, including the successive withdrawals of ministerial nominees. Externally, major issues such as negotiations on investment in the United States and South Korea's contribution to the Strait of Hormuz are also intertwined. Attention is focused on whether President Lee can flesh out his vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula through the UN General Assembly while finding a breakthrough on the many pending issues between South Korea and the United States. President Lee may meet U.S. President Donald Trump in New York, according to reports.
Wi Sung-lac, head of Cheong Wa Dae's National Security Office, said at a briefing at Chunchugwan that President Lee would attend the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly in New York from that day through the 27th before making a state visit to Mexico. In New York, where the UN General Assembly is being held, Wi said, "Separate engagements with leaders of major countries, including the United States and Australia, are scheduled in various formats." He added, "Through these engagements, we intend to continue close exchanges among the leaders and discuss ways to cooperate to expand our national interests."
In his address to the UN General Assembly on the afternoon of the 22nd, President Lee is expected to present directions for UN reform to help resolve global problems and ways for the Republic of Korea to contribute. He will also explain to the international community a blueprint for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. In particular, he is expected to focus on creating conditions for the resumption of North Korea-U.S. dialogue.
However, issues that must be resolved during the trip extend beyond the Korean Peninsula. First, South Korea and the United States are continuing final-stage negotiations over the implementation of a $350 billion investment in the United States. The talks are reportedly facing last-minute difficulties because of differences over guaranteeing "commercial rationality."
Discussions are also continuing on South Korea's substantive contribution in the Strait of Hormuz. At a South Korea-U.S. foreign ministers' meeting held in Washington, D.C., on the 18th, the two countries also addressed the implementation of investment in the United States and cooperation to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as major issues. At a press conference on the 18th, President Lee had emphasized, "There will be no troop deployment that involves participation in or intervention in war." He explained, "The Cheonghae Unit has already been deployed to (the Middle East) and is responding to threats to our citizens' safety, such as pirates. It is true that we are reviewing and carefully considering ways to strengthen this effort."
Accordingly, if a separate engagement between President Lee and President Trump takes place in New York, issues including troop deployment, investment in the United States, and creating conditions for the resumption of North Korea-U.S. dialogue could be placed on the agenda. Even if the two leaders hold an informal meeting or meet on the sidelines of an event rather than convening a formal summit, attention will focus on what messages they exchange, given the accumulation of pending issues between South Korea and the United States.
Wi said, "By proposing a blueprint for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula at the UN General Assembly, the sole universal international organization, we will create international momentum for peace on the peninsula." He added, "We will inject vitality into people's livelihoods and the economy through practical summit diplomacy centered on the national interest. We will engage with the leaders of major countries attending this year's General Assembly without being bound by protocol, discuss substantive cooperation in areas such as energy, semiconductors, and science and technology, and seek measures for cooperation to advance bilateral relations."
On the morning of the 23rd, President Lee will also attend the "Republic of Korea Investment Summit 2026," which will bring together economic and financial leaders from South Korea and the United States. He plans to personally 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 going forward to global investors.
After completing his schedule in New York, President Lee will travel to Mexico City on the evening of the 23rd. The state visit comes at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and marks the first state visit to Mexico by a South Korean leader in 16 years.
On the 24th, President Lee will attend an official welcoming ceremony before holding one-on-one and expanded summit talks with President Sheinbaum. The two leaders are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in future industries, including trade and investment, energy and mineral supply chains, AI and digital technology, aviation and aerospace, and the defense industry. 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