President Lee Jae Myung has concluded his latest overseas tour from July 24 to Aug. 3 to the U.S., Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Germany. Spanning three continents and focused on diplomacy in technology and resources as well as meetups with ethnic Koreans, his trip featured a string of key moments and achievements. This photo essay reviews the highlights of his visits.
By Hong Angie
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae
President Lee Jae Myung on July 24 announces the San Francisco AI Declaration at the AI Summit held at the creative complex Midway in San Francisco. He presented his vision of making Korea an "irreplaceable" major country and hub in the global artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain. He also talks with global big tech companies and leading Korean corporations on his administration's three megaprojects. His government plans to pursue active cooperation in AI data centers and physical AI through a semiconductor partnership worth USD 950 billion.
President Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung on July 25 pose for selfies with people at the shopping and public attraction landmark Pier 39 in San Francisco. His trip there resulted not only in large-scale investment and technological cooperation at the AI Summit, but also open interactions with the public, balancing substance and approachability.
On a state visit to Brazil, President Lee on July 26 inspects the Brazilian Embraer C-390, a transport aircraft acquired by the Republic of Korea Air Force, at Brasilia Air Base in the Brazilian capital. He examined the plane's specifications and operational status, stressing the importance of bilateral cooperation in the defense industry and aerospace.
President Lee, first lady Kim, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and first lady Rosangela Lula da Silva on July 27 show the heart finger gesture to the media at a welcoming reception held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brasilia.
The two leaders in their subsequent summit agreed to greatly boost bilateral cooperation in supply chains, the defense industry, space and advanced technologies. Meeting again after President Lula's visit to Korea in February, they adopted seven memorandums of understanding (MOU) and a joint statement.
Both sides declared 2026 as the inaugural year of a "new leap forward" in the bilateral strategic partnership and specifically outlined plans for symbiotic cooperation in areas like supply chains for core minerals.
President Lee on July 30 observes a moment of silence to pay tribute after laying a wreath at the statue of Bernardo O'Higgins, a hero of Chilean independence, at Plaza de la Ciudadania in Santiago, Chile. The chief executive began his visit to the Latin American country with the wreath-laying ceremony.
President Lee and first lady Kim on July 30 make the heart finger gesture to ethnic Koreans and residents in front of the Seoul Street monument in the Patronato neighborhood of Santiago's Recoleta District. Their visit to the area, which is home to a large concentration of Korean businesses, was to encourage merchants there and engage with the Korean community in Chile.
President Lee, the first Korean head of state to visit Chile in 11 years, on July 30 reviews an honor guard with Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast at a welcoming ceremony held at the presidential office La Moneda Palace in Santiago.
In their summit, both leaders agreed to convene a meeting of the committee on their bilateral free trade agreement for the first time in a decade, modernize the accord and strengthen their strategic partnership. The two sides signed five MOUs including one on a mineral resources partnership with Chile, a global resource power. They will also upgrade their joint resource cooperation committee to the ministerial level and greatly expand practical cooperation across core mineral supply chains and future industries.
President Lee and Argentine President Javier Milei on July 31 share a warm embrace at a welcoming ceremony held at the presidential palace in Buenos Aires.
Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in energy supply chains beginning with crude oil imports and greatly boosting ties in the value chains for key minerals such as lithium. They concluded an agreement on double taxation avoidance to reduce the tax burden on Korean companies operating in Argentina and will resume negotiations on the Korea–Mercosur (Southern Common Market) trade agreement for tangible outcomes in trade and investment, AI and the defense industry.
President Lee on Aug. 1 receives an honorary citizenship certificate and the key to the city from Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri, who urged expanded bilateral exchange and cooperation.
President Lee and first lady Kim on Aug. 1 take a photo with children who presented them with a bouquet of flowers at an event with ethnic Koreans in Buenos Aires. The couple greeted each attendee while entering the venue and engaged in warm conversation.
On the final stop of his tour, President Lee on Aug. 2 at a hotel in Frankfurt, Germany, shakes hands with a member of the Korean community there, greeting every attendee individually.
shong9412@korea.kr
