South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is set to embark on a five-day, two-night trip to Washington, D.C., and New York, concluding on January 26.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced on Thursday that Kim will depart for Washington, D.C. today, marking his inaugural overseas visit since assuming office.
During his stay, Prime Minister Kim’s itinerary includes meetings with high-ranking U.S. government officials, discussions with members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and engagements with the Korean-American community.
Of particular note, efforts are underway to arrange a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance during the visit. Additionally, plans are being made for a meeting with U.S. Senator Andy Kim in New York.
The talks with Vice President Vance are expected to cover a range of critical issues, including follow-up measures to U.S.-Korea tariff negotiations, the development of nuclear-powered submarines, expanding authority over uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, and strategies to enhance bilateral cooperation.
This visit is significant on two fronts: it marks the first meeting between the second-in-command of the U.S. and South Korean administrations since President Lee Jae Myung took office, and it represents only the fourth time a South Korean Prime Minister has independently traveled to the U.S. to discuss key bilateral issues.
Prime Minister Kim’s trip is the first by a South Korean Prime Minister to the U.S. in 41 years, following former Prime Minister Lho Shin-yong’s visit in 1985. Previous prime ministerial visits occurred in 1953 for armistice negotiations and in 1967 regarding South Korea’s participation in the Vietnam War.
The Prime Minister’s Office expressed optimism, stating that this visit, Prime Minister Kim’s first overseas engagement since taking office, is anticipated to make a positive contribution to the stable continuation and strengthening of U.S.-Korea relations.