US, China, and Japan leaders gather for a summit..."A new leap forward through proactive platform diplomacy"

The US-China summit draws attention as a "big event," with attention also focused on the possibility of a surprise North Korea-US summit.

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(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporters Lim Hyeong-seop and Koh Dong-wook = President Lee Jae-myung will be holding a 'super week of summit diplomacy' next week, leading up to the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

In particular, with the APEC summit leading up to the Korea-US summit, the Korea-China summit, and even the US-China summit, which is attracting global attention, this can be seen as the most important diplomatic stage for President Lee since taking office.

At a time when we face a series of difficult external challenges, such as the accelerating restructuring of the global trade order amid the US-China conflict and the intertwined issues of the Korea-US tariff negotiations, some analysts say that how President Lee passes this hurdle will have an impact on the overall future administration of the country.

◇ US, China, and Japan on a summit… Will the Korea-US summit produce results on tariffs?

National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak held a briefing at the Presidential Office in Yongsan on the 24th and introduced the schedule for the ASEAN-APEC summit next week.

He emphasized,"As the APEC chair, we will actively pursue platform diplomacy to lay the foundation for a new leap forward in summit diplomacy, which was fully restored during the UN General Assembly."

The most anticipated event is the APEC summit, scheduled from the 31st to the 1st of next month. Particular attention is focused on the actions of US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Both President Trump and President Xi will visit South Korea on state visits. This marks the first time that a US and Chinese leader will conduct a state visit outside of Seoul.

Director Wi particularly evaluated that,"We have completed a reciprocal visit between leaders with the United States in the shortest period of time ever," and that,"The Chinese leader's visit is also significant in that it is the first in 11 years, laying the foundation for restoring South Korea-China relations."

Looking at the specific schedule, the Korea-US summit is scheduled for the afternoon of the 29th.

Above all, attention is focused on whether the two leaders will be able to achieve tangible results through"top-down" discussions in areas such as the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, which have been struggling to conclude, and the security package negotiations that include alliance modernization.

However, in a recent interview with the American broadcaster CNN, when asked whether the APEC summit could be an opportunity to conclude trade negotiations between Korea and the U.S., the president hinted that negotiations could take longer than expected, saying,"It seems like it will take a lot of time and effort to adjust and correct things."

The South Korea-China summit is scheduled for the 1st of next month.

At the APEC closing ceremony held that day, President Lee will hand over the presidency to President Xi of China, the host country of the next summit, and the two leaders will immediately hold a meeting that afternoon.

The challenge for this president is how to manage South Korea-China relations amid the US-China conflict.

The above director explained,"In addition to ways to develop the partnership at the Korea-China summit, we will also be able to discuss issues related to the Korean Peninsula, North Korea, and the surrounding situation."

The US-China summit will be held on the 30th, between the US-ROK summit and the China-ROK summit.

If the two leaders open the door to resolving their trade conflict at this meeting, the ripple effects will be significant throughout the global economy, so attention is focused on the outcome of the meeting.

Meanwhile, the schedule for the Korea-Japan summit has not been finalized yet, but Director Wi said,"We are preparing for the summit and the date is being narrowed down at the working level."

The above director evaluated,"President Lee's early face-to-face exchange with the new Japanese Prime Minister has secured momentum to maintain the positive flow of Korea-Japan relations."

Regarding the possibility of a surprise North Korea-US summit, Director Wi appeared cautious, saying,"As far as we know, there are no new developments between North Korea and the US."

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The president will also be attending various diplomatic events as the chairman of the APEC summit between the Korea-US summit (29th) and the Korea-China summit (1st).

First, on the morning of the 29th, before the opening of the plenary session, he will participate as a special speaker in the opening ceremony of the 'APEC CEO Summit'.

On the following day, the 30th, he plans to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of several participating countries, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, at the APEC summit. The summit with Canada is expected to discuss defense industry cooperation, including the submarine order.

The APEC summit plenary session opens on the 31st.

The first session will discuss ways to promote cooperation in trade and investment under the theme"Towards a More Connected and Resilient World."

In particular, in addition to the 21 APEC member economies, Crown Prince Khalid of Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva will be attending.

After the first session, the President will have lunch with members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) to hear their suggestions, and in the afternoon, he will attend a welcome dinner for APEC member economic leaders, businesspeople, and distinguished guests.

On the morning of the 1st of next month, the last day of the plenary session, the second session will be held with the agenda of"Asia Pacific Vision Prepared for Future Changes," discussing new economic trends such as the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and changes in population structure.

◇ Attention is drawn to the Japanese Prime Minister's first face-to-face meeting with ASEAN leaders, which also discusses countermeasures to scams.

Ahead of APEC, President Lee will visit Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the 26th and 27th to attend the ASEAN Summit.

In particular, he plans to hold a summit with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and discuss current issues, including the development of a strategic partnership and cooperation in responding to online scams.

At the upcoming Korea-ASEAN Summit, a blueprint for developing a comprehensive strategic partnership between Korea and ASEAN will be presented.

The upcoming ASEAN+3 (Korea, China, Japan) summit will emphasize strengthening cooperation among ASEAN and Korea, China, and Japan.

In the afternoon, a summit meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, this year's ASEAN chair, is scheduled.

This meeting is expected to discuss ways to deepen the strategic partnership and strengthen practical cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, infrastructure, and the defense industry.

Director Wi said that he expects President Lee's visit to ▲ reaffirm the government's priority on ASEAN and present a direction for developing a comprehensive strategic partnership ▲ promote multi-layered regional cooperation among ASEAN, South Korea, China, and Japan ▲ secure ASEAN support for the government's Korean Peninsula policy.

In particular, as the new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to attend this meeting, attention is focused on whether this will be her first meeting with the President.