Seoul Sends Top Security Adviser to Washington as Tariff Deadline Looms, Trump-Lee Summit Eyed

WASHINGTON – In a move signaling the urgency of pending issues, South Korea’s new presidential national security adviser is heading to Washington this week for high-stakes talks on trade, defense, and a potential presidential summit.

Wi Sung-lac, the top security aide to President Lee Jae Myung, is scheduled to visit the U.S. capital from July 6-8, his office confirmed in a statement on Saturday. The visit is aimed at holding “in-depth discussions about all the pending issues between South Korea and the United States.”

The trip comes at a critical economic juncture. A freeze on U.S. tariffs that benefits South Korean industries is set to expire within days, prompting a coordinated push from Seoul to secure an extension. Underscoring the focus on trade, South Korea’s Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo traveled to Washington on Friday for separate meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and other senior administration officials.

Wi’s agenda, however, extends beyond tariffs. A key topic of discussion will be laying the groundwork for a possible summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Lee Jae Myung, who was inaugurated just last month. A successful first meeting between the two leaders would be crucial for setting the tone for the alliance under Lee’s new administration.

Speaking to reporters at Incheon airport on Sunday before his departure, Wi highlighted the gravity of the diplomatic mission. While he did not confirm if a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was on his schedule, he emphasized his goal “to meet my (U.S.) counterpart,” whose identity was not specified.

According to video from Yonhap News, Wi stressed that negotiations on both trade and defense have “entered a crucial phase,” making his direct engagement in Washington essential. His visit signals a multi-pronged diplomatic effort by Seoul to navigate complex economic pressures and solidify its security and political relationship with the United States.