South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit the United States and Mexico from September 21 to 27 to attend the UN General Assembly and hold a summit with Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum. Lee plans to pursue bilateral talks with leaders including the United States and Australia and may meet U.S. President Donald Trump amid negotiations over a $350 billion South Korean investment package in the U.S. At the UN, he will deliver a keynote on UN reform and Korean Peninsula peace and will meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He will then travel to Mexico City for a summit, joint press conference and the signing of memorandums of understanding focused on trade, energy, aerospace, culture and potential defence cooperation.
South Korea's President Lee To Attend UN General Assembly, Hold Summit With Mexico's Sheinbaum (Sept 21–27)
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a press conference at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, September 18, 2026. Ahn Young-joon/Pool via REUTERS
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will travel to the United States and Mexico from September 21 to 27 to attend the United Nations General Assembly and to hold a bilateral summit with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the presidential Blue House announced on Monday.
Trip Overview and Purpose
On the sidelines of the UN gathering in New York, Lee is seeking meetings with leaders from the United States, Australia and other nations. A potential meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump would occur as Seoul and Washington negotiate the details of South Korea's planned $350 billion investment package in the United States, agreed under a trade deal struck by the allies last year.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a press conference at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, September 18, 2026. Ahn Young-joon/Pool via REUTERS
Investment Talks
South Korean officials told Reuters that discussions on the investment plan are continuing, despite Seoul postponing a parliamentary briefing on the proposals that had been scheduled for last week.
UN General Assembly Agenda
At the UN General Assembly, Lee is scheduled to deliver a keynote address outlining proposals to reform the United Nations and presenting his vision for peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. He is also expected to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres, according to the presidential office.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung bows during a press conference at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, September 18, 2026. Ahn Young-joon/Pool via REUTERS
Mexico Visit and Bilateral Summit
Lee will arrive in Mexico City on Wednesday and meet President Sheinbaum the following day. After their talks, the leaders will hold a joint press conference and jointly oversee the signing of memorandums of understanding, Lee's office said.
Areas Of Cooperation
The Blue House said South Korea seeks deeper cooperation with Mexico in trade, energy, aerospace and cultural exchange. Mexico is South Korea's largest market for K-pop, and Seoul also sees opportunities to expand defence cooperation as Mexico modernises its military.
Reporting: Heejin Kim and Joyce Lee. Editing: Ed Davies.
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