South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will head to New York on Sunday to deliver a keynote address at the United Nations General Assembly and preside over a meeting of the Security Council.
During his five-day visit, however, no bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump is scheduled following their summit in Washington on Aug. 25, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said at a press briefing on Friday.
The two leaders are expected to meet again on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, scheduled for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
On his first day upon arrival at New York, he will hold talks with Larry Fink, chief executive of BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, to discuss the development of artificial intelligence and the transition to renewable energy.
At his address to the UN on Monday, President Lee Jae-myung is expected to present South Korea’s foreign policy agenda, including a phased approach to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.
“Mr. president will outline his basic approach to denuclearization,” Wi told reporters.
In an interview with Time magazine published this week, he said South Korea would be willing to negotiate partial sanctions relief for North Korea in exchange for progress on curbing its nuclear program.
On Wednesday, Lee will preside over an open debate at the UN Security Council on the implications of AI technology and global security, becoming the first South Korean president to chair such a session.
During the trip, his schedule also includes bilateral meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as leaders from Italy, Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic.
Lee is also expected to meet with members of Congress to seek their support for strengthening US-South Korea ties.
On Thursday, Lee will attend the Korea Investment Summit on Wall Street, where he will present his administration’s economic policy to global investors.
Senior government officials and business leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Korea Chamber of Commerce Chairman Chey Tae-won, are expected to join the investment summit.
By Jae-Young Han
jyhan@hankyung.com
Yeonhee Kim edited this article.
