Lee meets US senators ahead of Trump meeting
President Lee Jae Myung talks with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth at the presidential office in Seoul, Monday, in this photo provided by Lee's office. Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday met with visiting U.S. senators to exchange opinions about bilateral alliances and economic cooperation, his office said, ahead of his planned meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Lee held talks with Tammy Duckworth and Andy Kim at his office before his first summit with Trump in Washington on Aug. 25, which is expected to address the future direction of the Seoul-Washington alliance and details of a trade deal reached earlier this month.
During the meeting, Lee said his administration seeks to develop the alliance into a "future-oriented comprehensive strategic" partnership that extends beyond security to encompass the economy, and advanced science and technology, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing. He also asked for the U.S. Congress' support in that effort.
Lee expressed expectations that his upcoming talks with Trump would produce tangible results in various areas, including the shipbuilding industry.
The senators reaffirmed bipartisan congressional support for the "ironclad" Korea-U.S. alliance and voiced hope for further advancing cooperation with South Korea, a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region, Kang said.
They noted Lee's decision to visit Japan first demonstrates his determination to bolster bilateral ties and trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan, adding this would further elevate Korea's status and role on the international stage, she said.
Lee is scheduled to visit Tokyo on Saturday and Sunday for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba before flying to Washington. It is seen as unusual as previous South Korean presidents have typically chosen Washington as their first destination for diplomatic talks.