Lee Heads to UN for Trump Talks, Then Mexico Summit

Seoul — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will travel to the United States and Mexico from September 21 to 27 to attend the United Nations General Assembly and hold a summit with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the presidential Blue House said on Monday.

Lee is also seeking meetings on the sidelines of the U.N. gathering with the leaders of the United States, Australia and other countries, according to the Blue House.

A potential meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump comes as Seoul and Washington negotiate the details of South Korea’s $350 billion investment package in the United States under a trade deal struck by the allies last year.

South Korean officials told Reuters that the talks were continuing, although Seoul postponed a parliamentary briefing on the plans that had been scheduled for last week.

At the U.N. General Assembly, Lee is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on Tuesday on reforming the United Nations and to outline his vision for peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, according to the presidential office. He will also meet U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, his office said.

Lee will arrive in Mexico City on Wednesday and hold a summit with Sheinbaum the following day. After the summit, the leaders will hold a joint press conference and oversee the signing of memorandums of understanding, Lee’s office said.

South Korea is seeking cooperation with Mexico in trade, energy, aerospace and culture, the Blue House said. Mexico is South Korea’s largest market for K-pop, while Seoul also sees opportunities to expand defense cooperation as Mexico modernizes its military.