Overview

• In Tokyo, President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed the goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and closer coordination with the United States.
• The two leaders said they will issue a joint statement for the first time in 17 years and establish a joint consultative body to address shared challenges.
• Lee’s decision to visit Japan before Washington is designed to strengthen trilateral alignment before his Aug. 25 White House meeting with President Donald Trump.
• The U.S. summit will focus on alliance modernization to reinforce combined defense and will elevate a recent deal setting 15% U.S. tariffs in return for a $350 billion Korean investment package and $100 billion in U.S. energy purchases.
• Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is already in Washington for final coordination, and Lee’s U.S. schedule includes a visit to Hanwha Philly Shipyard and a wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery.