Lee Jae Myung Plans Philippines and China Tour for Key Asian Summits

From November 16 to 19, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit the Philippines and China to attend a series of regional events, including the South Korea-ASEAN summit and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Lee will have the opportunity to engage with leaders from Southeast Asia and other participating nations during her visit. His itinerary includes talks with Mekong states, ASEAN-related events in Manila, and the APEC summit in Shenzhen.

Wi Sung-lac, South Korea’s National Security Adviser, revealed the trip plans on Thursday. He said that Lee planned to utilise the sessions to foster collaboration on regional concerns like as energy supply chains, cross-border crime, and food security.

Lee Jae Myung to Attend Philippines Summits

Lee’s first visit will be Manila, where he’ll attend the Mekong-Korea summit on November 16. The summit would bring him together with delegates from five Mekong countries, including Vietnam and Myanmar.

The next day, the South Korean president will attend the ASEAN Plus Three Summit. During his stay in Manila, he is also scheduled to attend the South Korea-ASEAN meeting.

These meetings are a crucial element of Seoul’s efforts to strengthen ties with ASEAN nations. Wi stated that Lee will seek closer relations with the bloc and endeavour to put their comprehensive strategic alliance into action.

Along with the major summit sessions, Lee intends to undertake bilateral and multilateral discussions with other heads of state. The conversations are likely to focus on increasing mutual trust and collaboration.

South Korea also plans to emphasise its role in tackling common regional issues. Energy supply networks, international crime, and food security are among the topics Lee is likely to discuss during the conference.

Lee Jae Myung to Deliver Message at China APEC Summit

Following his engagements in Manila, Lee will go to Shenzhen for the APEC meeting in China. The gathering will bring together leaders from the Asia-Pacific region.

During the meeting, Lee is scheduled to deliver a message centred on Korean Peninsula peace and stability. He would also urge regional nations to back Seoul’s attempts to resume negotiations with North Korea.

South Korea’s president is set to attend a dinner hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and China’s first lady. The gathering will be one of his engagements during the APEC meeting.

However, the chances of North Korea attending the meeting remain slim. According to a presidential official, Pyongyang is unlikely to attend next week’s APEC conference to discuss bilateral relations with the United States.

The official did not totally rule out the possibility of North Korean-US interaction. However, the likelihood of negotiations occurring during the summit was considered as minimal.

Lee’s four-day trip will therefore address numerous diplomatic issues, ranging from stronger collaboration with ASEAN nations to security discussions on the Korean Peninsula. His discussions in Manila will focus on regional relationships and shared difficulties, while the Shenzhen summit will give an opportunity for Seoul to articulate its views on peace and stability.

The agenda also involves direct engagement with other national leaders through bilateral and multilateral talks. These meetings aim to boost regional trust and collaboration.

As Lee prepares for his November 16-19 visit, the focus will be on the results of ASEAN-related meetings and his message at APEC. The tour combines South Korea’s regional collaboration aspirations with its efforts to reopen talks with North Korea. However, with North Korea’s participation deemed uncertain, the chance of US-North Korea negotiations during the summit remains remote.