During their meeting at the White House on Monday, Trump expressed strong approval of President Lee’s stance toward North Korea. “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.

Trump also predicted that Lee, who assumed office in June, would serve for “a long time.”

Lee Urges Trump to Lead Peace Talks

President Lee called on Trump to take the initiative in reviving stalled diplomacy with Pyongyang. He praised Trump as a global leader who had produced visible results in the past.

“You are the first president to have so much interest in the world’s peace issues and actually made achievements,” Lee said. He then added, “I hope you would make peace on the Korean Peninsula… and meet with Kim Jong Un.”

Trump Shows Openness to New Summit

Trump responded positively, signaling readiness for a fresh meeting with the North Korean leader. “I will do that, and we’ll have talks. He’d like to meet with me,” Trump said. “We look forward to meeting with him, and we’ll make relations better. You’ll help that.”

Lee Warns About North Korea’s Nuclear Growth

Lee, a progressive former labor lawyer, noted that the Korean Peninsula was relatively stable during Trump’s first term. However, he warned that North Korea advanced its weapons programs in recent 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,” Lee explained.

In a lighter moment, Lee joked that a Trump Tower could be built in Pyongyang, saying, “So I can go play golf in Pyongyang as well.”

Context of Lee’s Visit

The meeting was Lee’s first official trip to Washington since becoming president. It took place amid rising tensions in the region and closer military ties between North Korea and Russia.

Lee’s visit also came shortly after Trump criticized Seoul over domestic political disputes involving Lee’s conservative predecessor. On Truth Social, 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!!!”

US-South Korea Ties

South Korea’s economy relies heavily on the US, which provides security through stationed troops and nuclear deterrence. At the same time, Trump has repeatedly described Seoul as a “money machine” that benefits from America’s military protection.