U.S. President Donald Trump hosts South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Washington for their first summit meeting on Monday, after the countries struck a trade deal last month lowering U.S. tariffs on the Asian ally to 15% from a threatened 25%.

Barely two months into office, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung faces a pivotal foreign policy test, heading into back-to-back summits in Tokyo and Washington that reflect the wider struggle of U.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech during a press conference to mark his first 30 days in office at Yeongbingwan of Blue House on July 3, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. Kim Min-Hee/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo WASHINGTON/SEOUL (Reuters) -When South Korean President Lee Jae Myung meets U.