What will President Lee Jae Myung do during his trip to New York and Mexico this week?

Lee will first attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York and then make a state visit to Mexico. His schedule includes a speech at the U.N. and summit events with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Why is President Lee Jae Myung expected to seek contact with Donald Trump at the U.N.?

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee wants to use the U.N. High-Level Week to continue close exchanges with major leaders and discuss cooperation that can expand Korea's national interests. Lee is also expected to meet heads of state from the U.S., Australia and other countries.

What does South Korea want to discuss with Mexico during Lee Jae Myung's state visit?

Seoul wants to strengthen cooperation with Mexico in trade, investment and supply chains. The next day's meetings in Mexico include summit talks, a luncheon and a joint press announcement with President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Lee to embark on trip to UN General Assembly, state visit to Mexico this week

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung was set to begin a two-nation trip Monday, starting in New York for the U.N. General Assembly before heading to Mexico for a state visit. He is expected to seek contact with U.S. President Donald Trump during U.N. High-Level Week and deliver a speech on Tuesday U.S. time. In Mexico, Lee and President Claudia Sheinbaum are scheduled to hold summit talks, a luncheon and a joint press announcement. Seoul aims to expand cooperation with Mexico in trade, investment and supply chains.

Key Facts

Lee is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday U.S. time during the U.N. High-Level Week in New York.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee plans to seek contact with U.S. President Donald Trump through various forms.
Lee intends to propose U.N. reform ideas, outline Korea's contributions and present a vision of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.
Lee's state visit to Mexico begins Wednesday at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Lee and Sheinbaum are set to hold summit talks, a luncheon and a joint press announcement the next day, with Seoul seeking stronger cooperation in trade, investment and supply chains.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 21, 2026 11:11 am KST
Updated Sep 21, 2026 11:32 am KST

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a press conference held at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung was set to embark on a two-nation trip Monday that will first take him to New York, where he is set to address the United Nations General Assembly before heading to Mexico for a state visit, a presidential official said.

During his attendance at the U.N. High-Level Week, Lee is expected to seek contact with U.S. President Donald Trump through various forms, according to National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac. He is set to deliver a speech at the U.N. session on Tuesday (U.S. time).

In his speech, Lee plans to propose ways to reform the U.N. to tackle global issues and outline Korea's contributions, while also presenting his administration's vision of seeking peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, Wi noted.

"Lee also plans to hold contacts with heads of state of the U.S., Australia and other major countries ... to continue close exchanges and discuss ways to cooperate, aimed at expanding the country's national interests," the official said.

Following his trip to the United States, the president will make a state visit to Mexico from Wednesday at the invitation of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

The next day, Lee and Sheinbaum will hold summit talks, a luncheon and a joint press announcement, with Seoul seeking to strengthen cooperation with the country in trade, investment and supply chains, Wi added.

Lee will depart Mexico on Saturday to return home the following day.

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