U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a desire to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year. During a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House, Trump mentioned he looked forward to future discussions with Kim, highlighting the importance of diplomacy.
“I’d like to meet him this year,” Trump stated, emphasizing his hope for renewed dialogue with North Korea. This comes despite Kim’s lack of response to Trump’s previous outreach since he took office in January. The North Korean leader has intensified his rhetoric, pledging to advance his nuclear program and criticizing joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea.
The meeting between Trump and Lee also touched on ongoing trade discussions. While the two countries reached a trade deal in July, differences remain over nuclear energy and military spending. Trump has been vocal about his expectations for South Korea to uphold its commitments, including a substantial investment of $350 billion in the U.S.
After their talks, Lee attended a business forum that included U.S. corporate leaders from companies like Boeing and General Motors. Reports suggest that Korean Air might announce a significant order for Boeing aircraft soon.
Lee, who has been preparing for this visit by studying Trump’s memoir, praised the president and encouraged him to pursue peace on the Korean Peninsula. He even suggested the idea of building a Trump World real estate complex in North Korea, where both leaders could play golf.
Trump’s comments also hinted at a push for South Korea to increase its defense spending, particularly concerning the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the country. When asked about the possibility of reducing troop numbers, Trump was noncommittal but suggested that South Korea might consider giving the U.S. ownership of military land.
Lee has been careful in his approach, aiming to maintain a balanced relationship with both the U.S. and China, which is South Korea’s largest trading partner. Before heading to Washington, he sent a special delegation to Beijing to promote normalized relations.
As the discussions continue, the focus remains on strengthening ties between the U.S. and South Korea while addressing the challenges posed by North Korea. Trump is set to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea later this month, further emphasizing the importance of this alliance.
