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| ▲ This EPA file photo shows President Lee Jae Myung (R) standing next to President Donald Trump during their meeting in Washington in August of 2025. (Yonhap) |
APEC-Trump
Trump expected to visit S. Korea during APEC week, hold summit with Lee: Seoul
SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit South Korea later this month during the country's hosting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings and hold a summit with President Lee Jae Myung, the foreign ministry said Monday.
The ministry issued the stance in rebuttal of a local news report claiming that Trump's visit to South Korea would only be brief, which could undermine Lee's planned diplomatic efforts on the occasion of the global meetings.
South Korea hosts this year's APEC summit on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, preceded by the APEC CEO Summit from Oct. 29 to 31.
"It appears that President Trump will visit South Korea during the APEC summit week, from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1, and attend available APEC events," a foreign ministry official said.
"A summit between South Korea and the U.S. is expected to take place during his visit, based on the trust and bonds built between the two leaders during our leader's visit to Washington in August," the official said, adding Trump may also have "meaningful" diplomatic events with other state leaders.
"In the event of Trump's visit to South Korea, it would be meaningful in securing reciprocal visits by the South Korean and U.S. leaders within the first five months of the (Lee) government's launch," the official also noted. "Our government is preparing respectful treatment and thorough schedules befitting such an occasion."
According to sources, Seoul and Washington are reportedly discussing a two-day visit by Trump from Oct. 29 to 30, when the APEC CEO Summit will be in session. The U.S. president is expected to attend the APEC CEO Summit and other events but is unlikely to participate in the APEC summit.
The ministry said as the chair of this year's APEC, South Korea will continue consultations with APEC member countries to issue a message promoting cooperation and communication for mutual prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
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