Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung is set to engage in pivotal discussions with the visiting U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week, as announced by Lee's office on Tuesday. The meeting is poised to address key issues, including U.S. tariffs, shortly before Bessent's departure to China for a significant summit involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the courtesy call from Bessent to President Lee is scheduled for Wednesday, a mere day before Bessent travels to Beijing for the high-profile meeting between Trump and Xi, slated for Thursday and Friday. Diplomatic insiders have confirmed Bessent's brief, one-day visit to Seoul, highlighting the importance of the discussions that are set to occur.

Observers anticipate that the dialogue between Lee and Bessent will focus on U.S. tariff measures and the stability of global supply chains, topics expected to surface at the impending U.S.-China summit. The two leaders are also likely to explore other critical issues affecting Seoul and Washington's bilateral relations.

In addition to his meeting with Bessent, President Lee will host Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng for a courtesy call. This engagement will provide a platform for discussing the U.S.-China summit and strategies to uphold peace both globally and on the Korean Peninsula. Concurrently, Bessent is slated to engage in high-level trade discussions with He on Wednesday, aiming to fine-tune details ahead of the consequential Trump-Xi summit.