Lee Jae-myung to Launch 11-Day Tour of U.S. and South America Seeking AI Investment and Mineral Deals

President Lee Jae-myung is set to depart Friday on an 11-day diplomatic tour spanning the United States and three South American nations, with his office framing the trip as a bid to secure artificial intelligence investment and lock in access to critical minerals crucial for South Korea's technology and energy industries.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac unveiled the itinerary this week, saying Lee will first stop in San Francisco to attend an AI summit and a Silicon Valley venture investment gathering. There, the president plans to meet U.S. venture capital executives and discuss cooperation with major American technology firms, part of what Wi described as an effort to link South Korean and U.S. startup ecosystems and open new funding channels for Korean ventures.

From California, Lee will travel to Brazil for a state visit at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, beginning Sunday. The two leaders are expected to hold a summit and oversee the signing of bilateral agreements, followed by a joint press conference and a state luncheon. Lee will later travel to Sao Paulo to meet the local Korean community and join a business roundtable, with Brazil's vast rare-earth reserves — vital inputs for semiconductor production — high on the agenda.

The president will then head to Chile for an official visit, meeting newly inaugurated President Jose Antonio Kast to discuss modernizing the two countries' free trade agreement, the first Seoul ever signed. Chile's position as a top global lithium supplier makes it a key partner as South Korean battery makers seek stable access to the mineral used in electric vehicles and energy storage.

The final leg takes Lee to Argentina, marking the first visit by a South Korean president to the country in 22 years. Argentina, led by President Javier Milei, holds some of the world's largest shale gas deposits and forms part of the so-called lithium triangle alongside Chile and Bolivia.

Wi said Lee intends to raise the possibility of restarting long-stalled trade talks between South Korea and Mercosur, the South American trade bloc anchored by Brazil and Argentina, during his meetings with both countries' leaders. He also indicated the visit is meant to deepen Seoul's engagement with the Global South and strengthen coordination with South American nations in multilateral forums.

"We expect this to significantly increase trade with these countries and expand opportunities for our companies to enter South American markets," Wi said. Lee is scheduled to return to Seoul on Aug. 3 after a stopover in Frankfurt, Germany.