▲ President Lee Jae-myung delivers a keynote address at the UN General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York last year.
President Lee Jae-myung has departed on a tour of the United States and Mexico to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
This marks President Lee's second attendance at the high-level session of the UN General Assembly, following last year.
President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung boarded Air Force One today (September 21) at Seoul Airport, seen off by Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok, floor leader Han Byung-do, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung, and Adrián García, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the Mexican Embassy, among others.
Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, who tendered his resignation earlier today, was also present among the send-off delegation.
First, on the afternoon of September 22, local time, President Lee is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the UN General Assembly Hall.
In his speech, President Lee plans to propose directions for UN reform to address global challenges and present South Korea's contributions, while outlining a blueprint for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.
Following the speech, he plans to hold a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to request UN-level attention and cooperation for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Attention is also focused on whether a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump will take place, and National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac stated in a briefing this morning, "Separate contacts in various formats are scheduled with leaders of major countries, including the United States and Australia."
Leaving open the possibility of an encounter, Wi explained, "Through this, we intend to continue close summit-level exchanges and discuss cooperation measures to expand our national interests."
On September 24, local time, he will attend the 'Korea Investment Summit 2026', where South Korean and U.S. economic and financial figures will gather, to promote South Korea's AI policies, vision, and capital market reforms to global investors.
In a briefing on the tour, Wi said, "Following our declaration of the 'return of democratic South Korea' at last year's UN General Assembly, we will use this assembly as an opportunity to spread the leading policy experiences South Korea has created over the past year as global public goods."
He added, "We will secure support from the UN and the international community for our policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula," emphasizing, "Through this, we will build international momentum for peace on the Korean Peninsula."
After concluding his itinerary in the United States, including his attendance at the UN General Assembly, President Lee will travel to Mexico at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
This marks the first state visit to Mexico by a South Korean president in 16 years.
Arriving in Mexico City on the evening of September 23, local time, President Lee will lay a wreath at the Monument to the Boy Heroes (Altar a la Patria) on September 24 as his first official engagement, followed by an official welcoming ceremony at the National Palace.
Afterward, he will hold a series of events, including a restricted bilateral meeting and an expanded summit with President Sheinbaum, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, an official luncheon, and a joint press briefing.
On September 25, local time, President Lee will attend a business forum held at the World Trade Center in Mexico City and visit the K-Expo venue before departing for home on September 26.
Wi noted, "Through this visit, we will strengthen substantive cooperation with Mexico in trade, investment, and supply chains," adding, "We will hold in-depth discussions on institutional support measures to firmly assist South Korean companies' entry into Mexico and their local operations."
He also stated, "We will actively discuss measures for cooperation on energy and mineral supply chains with Mexico, which possesses abundant natural resources such as crude oil," adding, "We will also establish a foundation for cooperation in high-tech industries, including AI and digital technology, the aerospace industry, and defense."
In particular, Wi expressed expectations that the potential contribution of 'K-defense' could also be discussed as Mexico pursues military modernization projects.
Regarding the cultural sector, Wi evaluated that "Mexico is a key consumer market for K-content," stating, "We will make thorough preparations so that this visit serves as an opportunity to set a firm milestone for the mutual prosperity of both nations."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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