South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung Faces Key Test in First Summit with Donald Trump

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is heading into a high-stakes diplomatic moment as he prepares to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on August 25. This marks their first summit amid rapidly shifting geopolitical dynamics that are challenging the decades-long U.S.-South Korea alliance.

Seoul’s Goal: Balancing Ties with Washington and Beijing

Since taking office in June, President Lee has faced the delicate task of strengthening relations with the U.S. while maintaining stable economic ties with China, South Korea’s largest trading partner. His primary aim for this summit is to establish a balanced approach that avoids creating friction with Beijing.

Analysts say Lee’s top priority is to make a strong impression on President Trump while keeping the meeting free of controversy.
Victor Cha, a senior expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), noted:

“For President Lee, a summit without surprises would be a good outcome.”

Defense Spending and Military Presence: Key Agenda Items

While Seoul hopes to focus on reaffirming security cooperation, Washington is expected to press for higher defense spending. President Trump is likely to demand increased contributions from South Korea toward maintaining the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed on the Korean Peninsula. Seoul is also considering purchasing more American weapons as part of its defense modernization plan.

On the trade front, both sides recently avoided major tariff disputes through last-minute negotiations, but implementation details remain. Following the summit, President Lee plans to visit a Hanwha-owned shipyard in Philadelphia, highlighting South Korea’s investment commitment and efforts to support America’s struggling shipbuilding industry.

North Korea and Trilateral Cooperation with Japan

Beyond defense costs, the two leaders are expected to address the persistent challenge of North Korea’s nuclear program. While both Washington and Seoul advocate dialogue with Pyongyang, North Korea has so far rejected talks and recently tested new air defense systems. President Lee supports a phased denuclearization approach, though prospects for progress remain uncertain.

Ahead of the U.S. summit, President Lee visited Tokyo to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on August 23, stressing the importance of trilateral cooperation among the U.S., South Korea, and Japan—particularly in security and trade matters.

A Defining Moment for the U.S.-Korea Alliance

Observers believe this summit will play a pivotal role in shaping South Korea’s foreign policy in the coming years. Balancing national security interests with Washington while safeguarding economic ties with Beijing is a complex challenge for President Lee Jae-myung. A successful meeting could solidify his leadership position both domestically and internationally.