President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung disembark from Air Force One upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews near Washington D.C. on August 24 (Sunday). 2025.8.24 [Yonhap News]

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a tour of the United States and Japan, arrived in Washington D.C. on the afternoon of August 24 (Sunday).

The presidential plane, having concluded its schedule in Japan the previous day and departed from Tokyo Haneda Airport, landed at Andrews Air Force Base that afternoon.

Contrary to predictions that the president would enter through a commercial airport due to news that the State Guest House would not be available, it appears that at least basic protocols were observed.

No official U.S. government cabinet members were present at the airport. However, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Abby Jones was there to greet President Lee and his delegation.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung greet Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Abby Jones, who welcomed them, upon their arrival at Joint Base Andrews near Washington D.C. on August 24 (local time). 2025.8.24.

President Lee is scheduled for a bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump on the morning of August 25 (Monday).

The summit is expected to involve extensive discussions on significant issues, including the detailed negotiations of the tariff agreement finalized at the end of last month and the strategic flexibility of U.S. Forces Korea. President Lee is anticipated to dedicate his full efforts to preparations leading up to the meeting.

Particular attention is being paid to whether sensitive matters such as the transfer of wartime operational control and an increase in defense spending will be raised. It is also noteworthy whether plans to expand cooperation in the nuclear energy sector between South Korea and the U.S. through improvements to the atomic energy agreement will be discussed.

In this regard, National Security Advisor Rhee Sang-wook stated, "The three main discussion topics are how to stabilize economic and trade relations between the two countries, how to modernize the ROK-U.S. alliance, and how to pioneer new areas of cooperation."

Furthermore, the general analysis within political circles is that the initial momentum of the Lee Jae-myung administration's governance could significantly change depending on the outcome of this ROK-U.S. summit, which is being held just 82 days after President Lee's inauguration.

In response, the government has mobilized all its resources, as evidenced by Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's early visit to the United States and the unusual decision for Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik to leave his presidential office to accompany President Lee to the U.S.

Meanwhile, following the summit, President Lee will participate in a 'Business Round Table' event with business leaders from both countries and deliver a speech invited by the think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Additionally, on August 26, the final day of his tour, he will travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to inspect the Philo shipyard, which was acquired by Hanwha Ocean.

In Philadelphia, a visit to the Seo Jae-pil Memorial Hall is also planned, marking the first time a South Korean president has done so in 26 years, since then-President Kim Dae-jung.

President Lee will then board his flight home, concluding his 3-night, 6-day tour of Japan and the United States.

U.S. NNP=Chief Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Yonhap News