President Lee Arrives in New York, Begins Tour of US and Mexico for UN General Assembly

President Lee Jae-myung has arrived in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly session.

This marks President Lee's second time attending the high-level session of the UN General Assembly, following last year.

President Lee and his spouse, Kim Hye-kyung, arrived at JFK International Airport in New York on the evening of September 21, local time, welcomed by South Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha, Ambassador to the UN Mission Cha Ji-hoon and his wife, among others.

President Lee is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the UN General Assembly hall on the afternoon of September 22, local time.

In the address, President Lee will present directions for UN reform to resolve global challenges and outline South Korea's contribution measures, while also laying out a blueprint for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.

Afterward, he plans to hold a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to request the UN's continued 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. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac previously stated during a briefing on the tour, "There will be separate contacts in various formats with leaders of major countries, including the United States and Australia."

Leaving open the possibility of an encounter between the leaders of South Korea and the United States, Director Wi explained, "Through this, we intend to continue close summit-level exchanges and discuss cooperation measures to advance our national interests."

On September 23, local time, President Lee will attend the "Korea Investment Summit 2026," which brings together economic and financial leaders from South Korea and the United States, to promote South Korea's AI policy, vision, and capital market reforms to global investors.

After concluding his U.S. tour schedule, including attending the UN General Assembly, President Lee will head to Mexico at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to continue his tour itinerary.

This marks the first state visit by a South Korean president to Mexico in 16 years.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.