The White House announced this week that President Yoon Suk-yeol will make a state visit to the U.S. on April 26 for a summit with President Joe Biden, the first such visit by an ROK leader in 12 years. 

The high-profile nature of the visit speaks to the importance the two leaders place on their alliance. But the summit also comes at a sensitive time for U.S.-ROK ties, as Washington’s protectionist policies and efforts to contain China risk hurting South Korean firms.