United Nations General Assembly will welcome the arrival of Lee on Monday for a five-day visit.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to embark on a significant diplomatic journey next week, marking his multilateral debut at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The weeklong event, starting from an undisclosed date, will see President Lee addressing various global issues and forging new partnerships.
President Lee's trip to the United States will commence on Monday and last until Friday. During his stay, he will deliver a speech at the 80th UNGA on Tuesday. Notably, this will be his second appearance at a multilateral meeting, following one at the Group of Seven summit in Canada.
In addition to the UNGA, President Lee's schedule includes meetings with leaders from the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Poland, and Uzbekistan. While details of the meetings with the leaders of the latter four countries are not fully disclosed, President Lee had a working lunch with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his visit to France.
One of the highlights of President Lee's trip is his meeting with US President Donald Trump, which took place at the White House in late August. Although no meeting with President Trump is scheduled during the UNGA, there is a possibility of a meeting in October during the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in South Korea.
Another significant event during President Lee's trip is his meeting with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink on Monday. The discussion will focus on artificial intelligence and energy transition, reflecting President Lee's commitment to sustainable development.
The meetings with financial professionals from South Korea and the US are also part of President Lee's schedule. On Thursday, he will convene a meeting to discuss his efforts to address chronic downsides in the domestic stock market. The identity of the participants in this meeting has not been revealed.
President Lee will also chair an open debate of the UN Security Council on Wednesday. The meetings with foreign leaders will primarily focus on cooperation in the field of defense industry and infrastructure.
In a significant move, President Lee Jae-hoon, a lawyer who defended President Lee in one of his criminal cases, will start his term as the new South Korean ambassador to the United Nations during President Lee's upcoming trip.
Lastly, President Lee will address peace on the Korean Peninsula with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday. This meeting is a first for a South Korean leader at the UNGA, underscoring the importance of the issue in the global arena.
President Lee's working-level negotiations of the trade deal between South Korea and the US are still underway. The outcome of these negotiations remains to be seen, but they are a testament to President Lee's dedication to strengthening economic ties with key global partners.
As President Lee embarks on this diplomatic journey, the world watches with anticipation, eager to see how South Korea will navigate the complex global landscape and contribute to the resolution of pressing issues.
