Korea moves to arrange Trump, Xi state visits on sidelines of APEC meeting

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. AP-Yonhap

Korea is seeking to host U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping for respective state visits on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting later this month.

State visits involve the highest level of diplomatic protocol and it is very rare for a country to host two such visits within a short period of time. Seoul officials are reportedly in last-minute talks with Washington and Beijing to finalize arrangements.

But Trump's shifting Asia itinerary, complicated by political developments in Japan, is causing uncertainty in diplomatic planning for major countries attending the APEC summit, diplomatic observers said.

According to diplomatic sources Thursday, both Trump and Xi are highly likely to visit Korea during APEC week, which runs from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac viewed Oct. 29 as the most probable date for Trump's arrival, with a one or two-day stay under consideration.

Speculation is growing that a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Trump could take place on the day of the U.S. president's arrival.

"A Korea-U.S. summit may take place around that time. And if the U.S.-China summit takes place, it could happen during his (Trump's) stay," Wi said during a briefing, declining to provide further details.

A summit between Lee and Xi is reportedly being considered for Oct. 30, though the Chinese leader's travel date remains uncertain.

During a National Assembly audit session earlier this week, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said a summit between Lee and Trump would likely be held in Gyeongju, rather than Seoul, dismissing speculation that it would be a brief meeting.

Cho added that the U.S. leader is unlikely to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, the main gathering of the bloc's 21 member economies, which will take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.

Instead, Trump is expected to focus on bilateral meetings, including a potential summit with Xi, a key diplomatic event being closely watched around the world.

An international media center is under construction near Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Sept. 29, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting will take place. Yonhap

Xi's participation in the APEC summit is considered highly likely, as China is set to host the next meeting in 2026 — a role that typically warrants the host nation's leader attending the preceding meeting.

Trump is expected to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 26. He is then anticipated to visit Japan from Oct. 27 to 28 before traveling to Korea.

But in Tokyo, political uncertainty has increased over the prime ministerial post following the recent election for leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Sanae Takaichi, who won the party leadership earlier this month, had been expected to become prime minister. But her prospects dimmed after the LDP's coalition with Komeito broke down.

The U.S. government, which had apparently been preparing for a summit with Japan's incoming leader, may reconsider the visit depending on the outcome of Japan’s parliament vote on a new prime minister set for Tuesday. The result is likely to affect Trump's arrival date to Korea.

Meanwhile, Trump's planned visit to Korea has fueled speculation that he could hold a surprise meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his trip.

While experts remain divided over the likelihood of a North Korea-U.S. summit, South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has repeatedly said such a meeting is possible.

"If President Trump decides to do so, there is a considerable possibility that a North Korea-U.S. summit could be held on the sidelines of the APEC meeting," Chung said during an interview with MBC on Wednesday.

He added that if the summit takes place, it would most likely be held on the North Korean side of the Panmunjeom truce village.

Regarding Chung's remarks, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is not aware of any detailed developments on a possible Trump-Kim summit.

"Our government supports North Korea-U.S. dialogue, and we will actively assist if needed," a ministry official said Thursday.