President Lee Heads to New York Today...UN Debut on the Largest Multilateral Stage
by Lim Chulyoung
Published 22 Sep.2025 06:01(KST)
Updated 22 Sep.2025 08:23(KST)
September 22-26: Visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, the Largest Multilateral Diplomatic Stage
Keynote Address as 7th Speaker on September 23: Announcing Korea's Return to the Diplomatic Stage and Outlining Diplomatic Vision
First Kor
President Lee Jaemyung will continue his diplomatic efforts at the 80th United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the largest multilateral diplomatic stage, by traveling to New York, United States, from September 22 to 26 for a five-day, three-night schedule. At the UN General Assembly Hall and the Security Council Chamber, President Lee will announce "Korea's return to the diplomatic stage." Outside the conference halls, he will meet with leaders and high-ranking officials from major countries and host a "Korea Investment Presentation (IR)" for Wall Street, the center of global finance, seeking to highlight the achievements of his administration's people- and economy-centered governance. The much-anticipated second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump is not included in the official schedule, and even a "pull-aside" (informal meeting) is said to be variable depending on circumstances on site.
The focus of this visit to New York is on multilateral diplomacy. On September 23 (local time), President Lee will deliver his first keynote speech at the UN General Assembly as the seventh speaker, for about 15 minutes. This carries significant meaning as it marks the restoration of Korea's diplomatic stature, which had stalled due to the December 3 Martial Law and the impeachment crisis. With world leaders gathered in one place, the core of his speech is expected to be the declaration of Korea's diplomatic vision, addressing universal issues such as freedom, human rights, and peace, as well as the situation on the Korean Peninsula. In his subsequent meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President Lee plans to discuss ways to strengthen UN-centered multilateralism and request support for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
National Security Office Director Wi Sunglak explained the purpose of this U.S. visit, stating, "We aim to enhance the status of a democratic Korea that has returned as a globally responsible nation," and added, "With the support of the UN, we protected democracy from the brink of war. Korea, which has grown from a beneficiary to a donor country, is now overcoming a crisis of democracy and, in this 80th year of liberation, is contributing to the global agenda of peace, development, and human rights as a globally responsible nation."
For the first time as a Korean leader, President Lee will also preside over a UN Security Council open debate on September 24 as the chair country. The open debate will be held under the theme "Artificial Intelligence (AI) and International Peace and Security," and is expected to serve as a forum for the international community to discuss how to fill the regulatory gaps surrounding technological competition and military applications. As the chair country, Korea can influence the agenda, statements, and the direction of the outcome document, making this an opportunity to enhance Korea's diplomatic presence.
Bilateral diplomacy is structured to focus on results, in line with the "pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interest" approach. President Lee is scheduled to hold meetings with leaders from France and Italy, both members of the Group of Seven (G7), as well as Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Agendas such as global supply chains, the defense industry, and infrastructure cooperation are expected to be discussed with these leaders. Director Wi explained, "We will strengthen ties with the leaders and put pragmatic, national interest-centered diplomacy into practice."
'Korea IR' for Wall Street, the Center of Global Finance...Meeting with BlackRock Chairman
On September 25, President Lee will personally preside over the "Korea Investment Summit" for Wall Street financiers, the heart of the global financial market. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol will also attend. At this event, President Lee will focus on increasing policy credibility by sharing the administration's commitment to normalizing domestic capital markets and the direction of industrial and fiscal policies. The goal is to go beyond resolving the "Korea Discount" and actively promote the "Korea Premium," injecting further vitality into the Korean stock market, which is hitting record highs this year.
On the first day of his U.S. visit, September 22, President Lee plans to meet with Larry Fink, Chairman of the World Economic Forum and Chairman of BlackRock, to discuss cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) and energy transition. BlackRock, the world's largest asset management company with assets under management totaling $12 trillion (approximately 16,000 trillion won), has been aggressively purchasing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies since launching crypto investment products, drawing attention to what topics will be discussed with President Lee. Director Wi stated, "We aim to implement a people- and economy-centered governance approach at the international level," and added, "Through the meeting with the World Economic Forum chairman and the hosting of the 'Korea Investment Summit,' the administration's focus on people's livelihood and the economy will continue on the global stage."
No Additional Summit with Trump Planned...North Korea to Send High-Level Delegation
President Lee has not planned a second summit with President Trump during this U.S. visit. Even an informal meeting is uncertain, as Director Wi explained, "It may or may not take place on site. It's hard to say anything definite at this time." There has been considerable interest in a potential meeting between the two leaders due to growing uncertainty surrounding follow-up discussions on the U.S.-Korea tariff negotiations. However, since President Trump is likely to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju in October, President Lee plans to use the UN General Assembly, the largest multilateral diplomatic stage, to focus on meetings with countries he has not been able to discuss bilateral issues with directly. The possibility of a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who held his first summit with President Lee in Tokyo in August, is also reported to be low.
Instead of meeting with President Trump, President Lee will meet with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to request the legislature's role in advancing Korea-U.S. relations. He will also have a dinner with opinion leaders from various sectors of the U.S. to listen to suggestions and exchange views on the development of Korea-U.S. relations. Additionally, he will hold a meeting with the Korean community in New York, engaging with Korean residents active in various fields across generations.
Meanwhile, North Korea will also send a high-level delegation to this UN General Assembly, headed by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Sunkyong. According to North Korea-focused media outlet NK News, North Korea plans to dispatch a high-level delegation led by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Sunkyong. Vice Minister Kim is scheduled to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly on September 29. The last time North Korea sent a delegation to the UN headquarters in New York was for the 73rd UN General Assembly in 2018.
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