South Korea-US summit preparations are gaining momentum, according to a presidential official in Seoul on Monday. Talks are in progress between South Korea and the United States to arrange the first face-to-face meeting between President Lee Jae Myung and President Donald Trump.
Although the exact date remains undecided, both sides are aiming for the fourth week of July. A report from local daily Donga Ilbo, citing a diplomatic source, said the meeting could take place before August.
Discussions around the time, location, and agenda are expected to begin soon. Officials anticipate progress following the likely visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He may travel to South Korea in early July during the ASEAN Regional Forum in Malaysia.
Acting US Ambassador Joseph Yun recently said that Trump is considering inviting Lee to Washington for the meeting. If confirmed, this would be the first official South Korea-US summit since Lee became president in June.
Previously, Lee opted not to attend the NATO summit in The Hague, despite the chance of meeting Trump there. His office cited urgent domestic priorities and rising instability in the Middle East.
In June, the two leaders also missed a meeting at the G7 summit in Canada. Trump left the event early, leaving no opportunity for talks.
Tariffs and defense costs are likely to dominate the upcoming agenda. Seoul is seeking exemptions from US tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles. These industries are key to South Korea’s exports.
Although Trump imposed the tariffs in April, he paused enforcement until July 8. This gave time for potential negotiations. Now, South Korea wants that pause extended or turned into a permanent exemption.
At the same time, defense cost-sharing is under review. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac confirmed that both countries have started working-level talks. This aligns with NATO’s new goal of raising defense budgets to 5 percent of GDP by 2035.
Overall, the South Korea-US summit is shaping up to be a key event for both nations. Leaders hope it will strengthen ties and resolve ongoing trade and military issues. As talks progress, the South Korea-US summit remains a top diplomatic priority for both Seoul and Washington.
