Director-General for International Economic Affairs Kim Jihee visited Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, September 23, and held separate meetings with Mr. Casey Mace, U.S. APEC Senior Official (SOM), and Mr. Emory Cox, Acting U.S. G7/G20 Sherpa, to discuss ways to strengthen Korea–U.S. cooperation in key multilateral economic fora.

* The term “Sherpa,” originally meaning “people from the East” in Tibetan and denoting Himalayan mountain guides, refers within the G7 and G20 to senior government officials who coordinate summit preparations. Director-General Kim concurrently serves as Korea’s G20 Sous-Sherpa.

In her meeting with Senior Official Mace, Director-General Kim requested the United States’ continued support for securing the adoption of Korea’s priority deliverables as this year’s APEC host economy, particularly the outcome documents on AI cooperation and responses to demographic change, as well as its support for ensuring the successful organization of the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. She also proposed continued consultations regarding President Trump’s participation in the upcoming APEC Meeting.

In her meeting with Acting Sherpa Cox, Director-General Kim discussed Korea–U.S. priority agenda items for the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa (November 22–23), and the United States’ priorities as the incoming G20 Presidency next year. Both sides agreed to maintain close communication in major international economic groupings, including the G7 and G20.