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Wi Seong-rak, national security adviser, briefs reporters at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on October 24 regarding President Lee Jae-myung’s upcoming ASEAN tour and APEC summit schedule. / Source: Yonhap News

National Security Adviser Wi Seong-rak said Sunday that President Lee Jae-myung may have brief encounters with U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during upcoming ASEAN-related summits, as their schedules are likely to overlap.

Speaking at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Press Center, Wi said, “I’m not sure if our schedules will coincide with President Trump’s, but there is a possibility that they might, and we are preparing for such an encounter.”

He added, “It’s also possible that President Lee may meet with the leaders of China and Japan. While we are preparing for those potential talks, the more substantive discussions will take place in Korea,” emphasizing that any interaction at ASEAN would be “a light, informal meeting.”

Wi also revealed that he recently visited Japan following Takaichi’s inauguration as prime minister, where he met with National Security Secretariat chief Keiichi Ichikawa, as well as former Prime Ministers Taro Aso and Yoshihide Suga, to exchange views on improving bilateral relations.

“We had very good and productive discussions,” Wi said, noting that both Aso and Suga “are influential figures in Japan’s political scene who play leading roles in groups dedicated to enhancing Korea-Japan ties.”

He added, “In particular, former Prime Minister Aso has close connections with our current administration, and we exchanged opinions on the future direction of bilateral relations.”

When asked about the possibility of a meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the United States on the sidelines of the upcoming APEC summit, Wi said, “It’s true that we don’t view such a meeting as particularly likely, but we’re prepared for any scenario.”