Seoul sees little prospect of Trump-Kim talks, prepares for possible Korean Peninsula discussions at Trump-Xi-Putin summit
President Lee Jae Myung will underscore the need for closer regional cooperation to withstand energy supply disruptions at two major regional summits next week, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
Lee will embark on a four-day diplomatic trip from Monday, attending a series of summits involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Manila, the Philippines, before traveling to Shenzhen, China, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit , national security adviser Wi Sung-lac announced Thursday.
Speaking at a press briefing, Wi said Seoul intended to "lead discussions on solutions to shared regional challenges, including energy supply chains, transnational crime and food security, while highlighting Korea's contributions."
The two gatherings will provide distinct but complementary forums for advancing that agenda.
At the ASEAN Plus Three summit, which brings together Southeast Asian nations with South Korea, China and Japan, Lee will steer discussions on how to respond to food and energy crises. At the East Asia Summit and the South Korea-Mekong summit, he will outline Seoul’s vision for international cooperation against transnational crime.
“At the APEC summit, we will call for cooperation on ways to respond to energy supply chain shocks originating in the Middle East and on the need to restore the multilateral trading order,” Wi said.
Lee’s Agenda at ASEAN, APEC
Lee will begin his engagements in Manila on Monday with the South Korea-ASEAN summit, where he is expected to take stock of progress on the comprehensive strategic partnership vision unveiled at the same gathering a year earlier.
Lee will futher explore ways to deepen ties with the Southeast Asian bloc, a cornerstone of Seoul’s economic and diplomatic engagement in the region, Wi said.
Lee will also attend the South Korea-Mekong summit, where he is expected to reaffirm Seoul’s commitment to advancing its strategic partnership with Mekong countries, with an emphasis on securing critical mineral supply chains and strengthening cooperation against cross-border crime.
The following morning, Lee will attend the ASEAN Plus Three summit, which brings together the ASEAN members with South Korea, China and Japan and outline its future direction ahead of its 30th anniversary in 2027.
Launched in 1997, the grouping has developed into a framework for East Asian cooperation on economic and financial stability, food security and other common challenges.
Later that day, Lee will attend the East Asia Summit for the first time since taking office.
The forum brings together 19 countries from across the Indo-Pacific region, which extends beyond ASEAN to include major regional powers such as the United States, China, Japan, India and Russia.
“At the East Asia Summit, President Lee will present our government's position on key regional issues, including online scams, and share our vision for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula,” Wi said.
Lee will arrive in Shenzhen on Nov. 18, beginning his APEC schedule with an appearance at the CEO Summit before attending a welcome dinner hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and first lady Peng Liyuan.
The following day, Lee will attend the APEC leaders’ summit, which comprises 21 member countries.
“President Lee will share our policies and experiences with participating leaders and convey South Korea’s commitment to making constructive contributions to APEC’s development and the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, building on our role as last year’s chair,” Wi said.
“We will work to establish discussions on AI cooperation and responses to demographic changes, which we led at last year's Gyeongju APEC summit, as core agenda items at the APEC level,” Wi added.
Low chances of Trump-Kim summit
Wi further explained that beyond economic cooperation, Lee would seek to reaffirm support from ASEAN and APEC member countries for his administration’s policies of peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula.
Through the two summits, Lee also intends to “send a positive message for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” Wi said.
“We will call for continued support and constructive contributions from regional countries toward our government’s efforts to resume inter-Korean and US-North Korea dialogue and establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula,” he added.
But a senior presidential official played down expectations of a summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the sidelines of the two regional gatherings.
“We believe there is little possibility that North Korea will participate in multilateral diplomatic gatherings such as APEC,” the official told reporters Thursday on condition of anonymity.
Asked whether Washington and Pyongyang might make contact before or after the summits, the official said, “I don't know whether US-North Korea contact will take place before or after the summits. There are many unpredictable factors, making it difficult to say.”
“Overall, I think the possibility is low,” the official added. “But if I had to compare, contact would seem more likely outside the summit period than during it.”
The official also said Seoul was closely monitoring the possibility of a trilateral summit involving Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“As we cannot rule out the possibility that Korean Peninsula issues could be discussed, we are closely monitoring developments and maintaining necessary communication with the countries concerned,” the official said. “We are also taking appropriate measures.”
dagyumji@heraldcorp.com
