U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a willingness to play the role needed to advance issues on the Korean Peninsula.
On the 17th, Office of National Security 3rd Deputy Director Oh Hyun-joo said in a briefing that President Lee Jae-myung, on the 16th (local time) in France, where he visited to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit, attended an official dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and had a conversation with President Trump. The two leaders sat side by side at the official dinner and exchanged views on the South Korea-U.S. alliance, the situation in the Middle East, and issues on the Korean Peninsula.
President Lee welcomed the conclusion of an end-of-war negotiation between the United States and Iran and highly evaluated President Trump's efforts to establish peace in the Middle East and resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. The two leaders also agreed on the importance of free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Lee then asked for President Trump's attention and role so that sustainable peace can take root on the Korean Peninsula as well. In response, Trump said, "I will play the role needed to advance issues on the Korean Peninsula," and he intends to consider ways to contribute to peace on the Korean Peninsula and communicate closely with Lee, Vice Minister Oh said.
The two leaders also built a consensus on ways to expand economic cooperation, including in the shipbuilding sector, and on the importance of South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation grounded in the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance. In addition, Trump called Lee a "strong leader," and expressed expectations that the two countries could contribute together to promoting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, Vice Minister Oh said.