Gyeongju: President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to hold high-stakes summit talks on Wednesday on the occasion of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, the presidential office said. Trump, who is making a state visit to South Korea, is scheduled to arrive from Japan and hold talks with Lee at the Gyeongju Arts Center in the afternoon. The meeting marks their second in-person summit in about two months, following their first talks at the White House.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a key point of attention is whether the two sides will be able to finalize a framework trade deal reached in July, as Seoul and Washington have offered differing assessments of the ongoing negotiations. Prior to the talks, Trump will sign a guestbook and attend an official welcome ceremony, which will include a gun salute to mark his state visit.

The presidential office said it plans to present Trump with a specially crafted replica of a gold crown from the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) and award him the Grand Order of Mugungwha, the nation's highest order. Trump will then tour an exhibition showcasing Silla gold crowns as part of a program to build personal rapport with Lee, before joining a luncheon summit attended by senior officials from both countries, the office said.