Lee, Trump to hold 1st in-person summit amid 'alliance modernization' efforts

WASHINGTON — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to hold his first in-person summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, in what could be a major test of the bilateral alliance as the United States seeks to "modernize" the treaty partnership in the face of an increasingly assertive China. Their meeting is set to begin in the Oval Office at 12:15 p.m. (local time) with the agenda likely to include Korea's investments in the U.S., defense "burden-sharing," the future role of American troops in Korea and other issues that could affect the path forward for the two countries' relationship. The summit will come as the Trump administration has been calling on allies to raise their defense spending and take greater security burdens at a time when it prioritizes deterring the "pacing threat" from China. The initial part of the Oval Office meeting is set to proceed in front of rolling cameras and reporters as the two leaders are expected to exchange pleasantries and make opening remarks. Their summit will be followed by a luncheon at the Cabinet Room, according to tWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times