South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in San Francisco on Thursday to meet big-tech CEOs and announce a new AI industry vision [1].

This diplomatic push signals South Korea's intent to secure a leading role in the global artificial intelligence race by fostering direct partnerships with the world's most influential technology firms. The visit is a central part of a broader tour including the U.S., South America, and Germany.

President Lee arrived at the airport on the morning of July 24 [1]. His itinerary includes consecutive meetings with the chief executive officers of major technology companies to discuss cooperation on AI development [1], [2]. These discussions are intended to culminate in the "San Francisco AI Declaration," a document that will outline the strategic direction and goals for South Korea's AI industry [1], [2].

During his visit, President Lee met with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and Korean Ambassador Kang Kyung-hwa [1], [2]. As a gesture of goodwill, the mayor presented the president with a signed baseball from San Francisco Giants player Lee Jung-hoo [1], [2].

The president's focus on San Francisco reflects the city's status as the epicenter of the current AI boom. By engaging directly with the architects of these technologies, South Korea aims to integrate its own industrial capabilities with the latest advancements in machine learning and generative AI [2].

This series of high-level meetings is designed to attract investment and technical exchange. The upcoming declaration is expected to serve as a roadmap for how South Korea will develop its domestic AI ecosystem while maintaining strong ties with U.S. tech leaders [1], [2].

“President Lee will announce a “San Francisco AI Declaration” outlining South Korea’s AI industry vision.”

The San Francisco AI Declaration represents a strategic attempt by South Korea to avoid technological isolation as AI becomes a primary driver of national economic security. By formalizing a vision in the heart of the U.S. tech industry, the Lee administration is seeking to pivot from being a mere consumer of AI tools to a co-developer and strategic partner in the global AI supply chain.