Lee Jae-myung Arrives in Busan, Facing Test of Pragmatic Diplomacy for National Interest
Trump Arrives in Busan, Facing Test of 'Pragmatic Diplomacy for National Interest'
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Busan shortly on October 29, 2025. This visit to South Korea is to undertake important diplomatic schedules, including a U.S.-China summit. South Korea's pragmatic diplomacy in pursuit of national interest is expected to be put to the test. President Trump's visit is expected to have a significant impact on not only U.S.-Korea relations but also the security situation in Northeast Asia.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has begun his APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) related schedule with a CEO Summit speech. In his speech, President Lee is expected to present the vision and growth strategy of the South Korean economy and discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation with APEC member countries. In particular, as this APEC meeting is the first face-to-face meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders from each country are expected to hold in-depth discussions on economic recovery and the discovery of new growth engines.
President Trump will receive state-level hospitality in Gyeongju during his visit to South Korea. The South Korean government welcomes President Trump's visit and seems committed to further solidifying the friendly relations between the two countries. Gyeongju is the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty, boasting a long history and culture. President Trump is expected to experience South Korea's traditional culture and deepen his understanding through his visit to Gyeongju. This state-level hospitality emphasizes the importance of the U.S.-Korea alliance and carries the meaning of a bright future for bilateral relations.
The leaders of the United States and China are scheduled to hold their first summit meeting in Busan on October 30. This summit is expected to be a major turning point in U.S.-China relations, and the two leaders are expected to discuss various issues, including trade, security, and human rights. In particular, attention is focused on whether this summit can be an opportunity to improve relations between the two countries, given the recent intensification of conflicts between the U.S. and China. It is also of interest what position the two leaders will take on the Korean Peninsula issue. South Korea is expected to maintain a balanced diplomatic relationship with both the U.S. and China while continuing efforts for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense has appointed retired Air Force Brigadier General Kim Hong-cheol as the new Director-General of National Defense Policy. This appointment marks the first time in seven years that a non-Army officer has been appointed as the Director-General of National Defense Policy. It is interpreted as an effort to expand diversity within the military and reflect various perspectives in the national defense policy decision-making process. The new Director-General of National Defense Policy, Kim Hong-cheol, has built expertise by working in the policy field in the Air Force for a long time and is expected to contribute to the establishment and promotion of national defense policy. The Ministry of National Defense expects that this appointment will improve the efficiency of national defense policy and strengthen the ability to respond to the rapidly changing security environment.
