WASHINGTON, D.C. – Donald Trump will visit South Korea on Oct. 29 for a bilateral summit with President Lee Jae Myung, the White House said Thursday, confirming the US president’s return to the peninsula two months after their first meeting in Washington.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Trump’s Asia itinerary during a briefing, saying the president would “travel to Busan on Wednesday (Oct. 29) morning for a bilateral meeting with the president of the Republic of Korea, deliver a keynote address at the APEC CEO luncheon and attend the leaders’ working dinner that evening.”
While Leavitt cited Busan as the destination, Korean government officials stated that the meeting would actually take place in Gyeongju, where this year’s APEC summit is being hosted.
The apparent mix-up, they said, likely stemmed from confusion between the venues for the US-China and US-Korea meetings.
Trump’s visit, from Oct. 29 to 30, will include talks with both Lee and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also due to attend APEC-related events in Korea.
After the meetings, Trump will depart for Washington late on Oct. 30, according to the White House.
TRADE, TARIFF ISSUES LIKELY HIGH ON LEE-TRUMP SUMMIT AGENDA
The Trump-Lee summit, their second in just over two months, comes at a critical juncture for both leaders, as Trump seeks to cement a trade win ahead of APEC, and Lee faces mounting domestic pressure to secure US backing amid regional uncertainties.
Their summit is expected to be dominated by negotiations over a long-discussed investment package, as both countries seek to finalize terms ahead of the APEC leaders’ meeting.
Korea has pledged up to $350 billion in US investment commitments, though the balance between cash injections and financing arrangements remains under discussion.
Kim Yong-beom, Seoul’s presidential policy chief who returned from Washington on Thursday after back-to-back talks, cautioned that “while the deadline is close and the hurdles are high, negotiations can move very quickly in the final stretch.”
Kim said that most differences have narrowed, but one or two key issues still stand in the way.
TRUMP’S MEETING WITH XI, OTHER ITINERARIES ACROSS ASIA
Trump’s meeting with Xi the following day is also drawing attention, as tensions over tariffs, rare earth supplies and agricultural trade have flared anew in recent months.
Analysts said any progress in Gyeongju could help stabilize markets ahead of the APEC leaders’ sessions slated for Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
Trump will begin his Asia tour by departing Washington on Oct. 24.
He is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia on Oct. 26 for talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and to attend an ASEAN working dinner that evening.
He will then travel to Tokyo on Oct. 27 for a meeting with newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi before flying to Korea on the morning of Oct. 29.
The US president is not expected to attend the APEC leaders’ plenary sessions, suggesting his Korean stop will serve as the diplomatic highlight of his regional tour.
According to local media, the Trump-Xi meeting will likely be held at the Narae Maru facility inside the South Korean Air Force’s Gimhae base near Busan, given its logistical and security advantages.
By Sang-eun Lucia Lee
selee@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.
