Lee to deliver keynote speech at UN General Assembly Sept. 23

President Lee Jae Myung delivers a policy speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., Aug. 25 (local time). Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung will join world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 23 to deliver a keynote address that will touch on the Korean Peninsula, democracy and global challenges.

According to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung on Tuesday, Lee’s participation aims to strengthen solidarity with the international community and elevate South Korea’s status as a responsible global power through a wide range of diplomatic engagements.

"President Lee will deliver a keynote speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23, where he will share with the international community South Korea’s experience in overcoming and recovering from a crisis of democracy, and present our government’s vision and policies on major global issues, including the Korean Peninsula," Kang said during a press briefing.

Kang added that Lee’s speech is scheduled as the seventh address in the first morning session, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., and is expected to last about 15 minutes.

President Lee Jae Myung, left, speaks during the Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable held at a hotel in Washington, D.C., Aug. 25 (local time). Yonhap

Kang pointed out that South Korea, which holds the rotating presidency of the U.N. Security Council this month, will lead a debate on Sept. 24 examining artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on global peace and security. The Security Council’s provisional rules of procedure stipulate that the presidency rotates among members in alphabetical order, with each member holding the post for one month.

“For the first time as president of the Republic of Korea, President Lee will preside over an open debate of the U.N. Security Council in his capacity as council president,” Kang said.

The meeting will discuss the opportunities and challenges that the rapid development of AI technology poses to international peace and security, and explore ways for the international community to respond collectively.

The U.N. General Assembly high-level week, held annually beginning on the third Tuesday of September, serves as the world’s largest diplomatic gathering, drawing leaders from all 193 member states.

This year’s session carries added weight as the U.N. marks its 80th anniversary, under the theme "Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights."