Pres. Lee Jae Myung opens month of summit diplomacy with Vietnam talks; U.S. and Japan next

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has opened a month of high-stakes summit diplomacy.

It began today in Seoul with Vietnam's top political leader, Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, the first Vietnamese head of state visiting in 11 years.

The two leaders pledged to deepen their "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," aiming for 150 billion U.S. dollars in trade by 2030 and boosting cooperation in energy, technology, and security.

Later this month, Lee meets U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss modernizing the alliance, tariff negotiations, and defense cost-sharing.

A Korea–Japan summit is also under discussion, with speculation it could happen first, potentially shaping talks with Washington.

For an overall discussion on how the array of talks could shape Seoul's regional strategy, we're joined by Evans Revere, Former Acting Assistant Secretary of State and Non-resident Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Program at Brookings. Welcome.

Also joining us is Hannah Kim, Associate Professor at Sogang University GSIS. Good to see you.

(Revere) To start with the big picture, today in Seoul, President Lee Jae Myung met with Vietnam's top political leader, Communist Party General Secretary To Lam.

With this summit kicking off a month of intensive diplomacy, including planned talks with U.S. and Japan, what do you see as the top priorities of the Lee administration's diplomatic strategy?

(Kim) So General Secretary To Lam's visit carries a lot of significance. Why do you think the Lee administration invited Vietnam's top leader as its first state guest?

(Kim) Looking at the results of the meeting, the two sides adopted a joint statement to deepen the "Korea–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" with future-oriented cooperation. They set a goal to expand bilateral trade to 150 billion dollars by 2030, and signed over 10 MOUs on various industries.

How could this partnership bolster Korea's "global middle power diplomacy" strategy?

(Revere) Turning to the U.S. summit ahead, at the end of this month, a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is also scheduled.

The key agenda item, "modernizing the Korea–U.S. alliance," covers a broad scope, including adjustments to the role of U.S. Forces Korea.

Mr.Revere, what is the core of alliance modernization? And what diplomatic approach should Korea take in preparation?

(Kim) Related to that, if Korea accepts the U.S. request for "expanded strategic flexibility," how could that affect the Korean Peninsula's security structure and relations with neighboring countries, particularly China?

(Revere) On the defense cost issue, foreign media outlets have reported that the Trump administration is considering asking Korea to raise its defense spending to 3.8% of GDP and to increase its share of defense cost contributions during tariff negotiations.

Would such demands be realistically acceptable?

(Kim) Staying with the tariff talks, this Korea–U.S. summit is also expected to discuss specifics of those negotiations, including a 350 billion dollar investment fund for the U.S.

What strategic approach would be necessary for Korea to gain an advantage in these talks?

(Revere) Shifting to Korea–Japan relations, Japanese media outlets report that a summit is being coordinated for the 23rd, though the presidential office has yet to confirm.

If the Korea–Japan summit were to take place first, what would be its symbolism and diplomatic message?

(Kim) On the possible sequencing, analysts say President Lee's consideration of "Japan first, U.S. later" reflects a strategy to boost negotiating leverage with the U.S. by pre-coordinating on key issues like tariffs and security with Japan.

Could this approach have a positive impact for Korea at the negotiating table with Washington?

(Revere) Finally, looking at the trilateral picture, with both Korea–U.S. and Korea–Japan summits on the horizon, trilateral cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and Japan seems likely to strengthen.

On issues like countering China and dealing with North Korea, what diplomatic balance should the Lee Jae-myung administration seek?