US President Donald Trump on Monday praised South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s stance on North Korea, calling it “much better” than that of earlier leaders. The remarks came during Lee’s first official visit to Washington, where he urged Trump to reopen dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to restart peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula.
Trump Commends Lee’s Approach
During their White House meeting, Trump said previous leaders had not handled North Korea properly. “The various leaders that I’ve dealt with, they were not approaching it properly, in my opinion… but I think your approach is a much better one,” CNN quoted Trump as saying. He also expressed confidence in Lee’s political future, remarking that he expects him to serve for “a long time.”
Lee Urges Trump to Lead Peace Efforts
President Lee described Trump as a global figure who had already shown results in advancing world peace. “You are the first president to have so much interest in the world’s peace issues and actually made achievements,” Lee said, adding, “I hope you would make peace on the Korean Peninsula… and meet with Kim Jong Un.”
Trump responded positively, suggesting he is ready for another summit with the North Korean leader. “I will do that, and we’ll have talks. He’d like to meet with me,” Trump confirmed. “We look forward to meeting with him, and we’ll make relations better. You’ll help that.”
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Concerns Over North Korea’s Nuclear Progress
Lee, a progressive former labor lawyer, noted that the Korean Peninsula had remained relatively stable during Trump’s first term. However, he warned that North Korea has significantly advanced its nuclear and missile programs in the past four years. “In the short hiatus where you were out of office, North Korea developed further its nuclear and missile capabilities, and that led to a deterioration of the situation,” he said.
In a lighter moment, Lee joked that one day a Trump Tower could be built in North Korea, quipping: “So I can go play golf in Pyongyang as well.”
Tense Backdrop to Lee’s Visit
The visit came amid rising regional tensions and closer military ties between North Korea and Russia. It was also overshadowed by Trump’s recent criticism of South Korea’s political situation.
Just before the meeting, Trump had blasted Seoul’s government in a Truth Social post, referring to investigations into former conservative president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached and removed from office last year. Trump wrote: “WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We can’t have that and do business there. I am seeing the new President today at the White House. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!”
Strategic Alliance and US Security Role
South Korea’s economy depends heavily on its partnership with the United States. Washington supports Seoul’s security through the presence of American troops and nuclear deterrence. Trump has previously described South Korea as a “money machine” that benefits from US military protection.
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