Washington, USA — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday voiced hope that U.S. President Donald Trump would act as a “peacemaker” and open a new path for peace on the Korean Peninsula, as he looked forward to a potential Trump–Kim Jong-un meeting.
During their first high-stakes summit at the White House, Lee urged Trump “to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula, the only divided nation remaining in the world.” The talks were expected to center on alliance modernization and trade, following a recent agreement reducing U.S. tariffs on South Korean goods to 15 percent from a threatened 25 percent.
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Trump, for his part, reiterated his willingness to meet North Korea’s Kim Jong-un this year, renewing calls for dialogue with the reclusive regime.
“I hope you will meet Kim Jong-un and even build a ‘Trump World’ in North Korea so that I can play golf there, and that you will firmly play the role of a historic peacemaker,” Lee said. He praised the stability of the Korean Peninsula during Trump’s first term, contrasting it with recent years marked by Pyongyang’s advancing nuclear and missile programs.
“It is not easy for inter-Korean relations to improve through my involvement alone. In fact, the only person who can truly resolve this issue is President Trump,” Lee added. “If you play the role of a ‘peacemaker,’ I will work hard as a ‘pacemaker’ to support you.”
Lee also expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with Washington in shipbuilding and manufacturing, saying, “A renaissance is taking place in the U.S. not only in shipbuilding but also in manufacturing, and I hope the Republic of Korea can join in that process.”
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