PRES. LEE TO MEET WITH TRUMP AUG. 25 AT WHITE HOUSE

Welcome to Press Perspective for this Tuesday August 12th here in South Korea.

I'm Min Sunhee.

Following his hosting of the Vietnamese leader here in Seoul this week President Lee Jae Myung is poised to depart for the U.S. for talks with his American counterpart Donald Trump AMID speculation about a possible summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba EITHER before or after the much anticipated meeting at the White House.

For more I have freelance journalist Raphael Rashid here in the studio.

Raphael welcome.

I also have Professor Choi Hyun Jin at Kyung Hee University.

Professor Choi it's good to have you with us.

Raphael, President Lee Jae Myung will sit down with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on August 25th at the White House.

This was announced by the top office here.

What else has been shared about the agenda ahead?

Raphael, there is also talk about President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba meeting within this month, either before or after the summit between President Lee and his American counterpart.

What do we know as of now?

Professor Choi, what would be the diplomatic implications of a summit visit to Japan by the South Korean leader PRIOR to a similar trip to the U.S., IF the scheduling does indeed turn out this way?

Raphael, the Washington Post this past weekend published an extensive report that touched upon Mr. Trump's use of tariffs to promote America's security interests, and it appears his demands on South Korea are forthcoming.

Do tell us more.

And against this backdrop, Professor Choi, what are your prospects with regard to talks on defense cost-sharing between South Korea and the U.S.?

Raphael, a new U.S. National Defense Strategy is expected to be disclosed as early as this month.

First, for the sake of our viewers who may not be familiar with this document, do tell us what is it, and the potential impact of the new strategy on the ROK-U.S. alliance keeping in mind Trump's calls for increased burden-sharing with allies and attempts to deter China.

Professor Choi, how should South Korea seek to advance its alliance with the U.S. while maintaining a practical diplomatic approach to ties with China and North Korea?

Meanwhile, Raphael, Seoul has delayed a decision on Google's request for permission to export map data.

Again, do give us some context and the respective stances of the two sides.

Professor Choi, do the roadblocks faced by Google Maps in South Korea look to affect the course of trade and defense talks between Seoul and Washington?

All right.