Overview

• Foreign Minister Cho Hyun arrived in Washington three days ahead of the Aug. 25 summit, with officials characterizing his early trip as routine final coordination after speculation over the abrupt schedule change.
• Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo met USTR Jamieson Greer to fine-tune the late-July framework that lowered U.S. tariffs on Korean goods to 15% tied to a reported $350 billion investment pledge and $100 billion in U.S. energy purchases.
• Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan is set for talks with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright on shipbuilding cooperation under the MASGA initiative, nuclear energy collaboration, semiconductors, and other advanced industries.
• A 16-member business delegation—including leaders from Samsung, SK, Hyundai, LG, Hanwha, and others—will accompany President Lee to support announcements on U.S.-focused projects in chips, batteries, shipbuilding, nuclear power, AI, and critical minerals.
• Seoul says “alliance modernization” is a summit goal, with expected discussions on U.S. Forces Korea roles, higher defense cost-sharing for the 28,500-troop presence, North Korea policy coordination, and sensitivities around China; in parallel, Lee will send special envoys to China from Aug. 24–27.