President Lee Arrives in Santiago, Chile...Discussing FTA Modernization

Official Two-Day Visit to Chile Following Brazil

Summit Meeting with President Kast

Attending Korea-Chile Business Round Table with 30 Participating Companies

President Lee Jae-myung, who is currently on a visit to South American countries, arrived in Santiago, the capital of Chile, his second stop in the region, on the 29th (local time). President Lee will begin his official schedule with a dinner meeting with local Korean residents, embarking on a one-night, two-day visit. This marks the first visit to Chile by a South Korean president in 11 years.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are disembarking from Air Force One upon arrival at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago, Chile, on the 29th (local time) and are moving. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 30th, President Lee is scheduled to lay a wreath at the statue of Chilean national hero Bernardo O'Higgins before holding a summit meeting with President Jose Antonio Kast. The summit, taking place at the presidential palace, will be followed by an official welcoming ceremony, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing, and an official luncheon.

Afterward, President Lee will attend the Korea-Chile Business Round Table (BRT), which will be joined by representatives from 30 companies from both countries. The event will cover discussions on stabilizing core mineral supply chains and expanding investments, as well as AI digital technology cooperation, green energy and bio industries, and collaboration in the future growth sectors such as K-consumer goods.

Kang Yoo-jung, Chief Presidential Spokesperson, said in a written briefing, "Chile is a global trade hub connected by a free trade network covering approximately 89% of the world's GDP, and as a leading global producer of copper and lithium, it is a strong partner for Korea in advancing cutting-edge industries. Korea and Chile are expected to further strengthen their cooperation in all areas of the resource and energy supply chain, including key minerals, and to expand trade and investment going forward."

She went on to add, "The two countries will pursue future-oriented cooperation in practical areas that are tangible for both citizens and businesses, such as public safety, defense industry, infrastructure, maritime affairs, and culture. To this end, high-level exchanges and intergovernmental consultative groups will also be fully reactivated."

Before his visit to Chile, President Lee wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Chile was the very first country with which the Republic of Korea signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), underscoring how close and important Chile is to Korea." After concluding his official visit to Chile, President Lee is scheduled to travel to Argentina for another summit meeting.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.