A meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House featured lighthearted moments, including Lee’s playful suggestion for Trump to meet Kim Jong Un in North Korea and build a ‘Trump Tower.’ Lee praised Trump’s diplomatic approach and previous engagements with Kim Jong Un, positioning Trump as a potential global leader. Trump responded positively and expressed his desire to reconnect with Kim Jong Un, highlighting their previous positive interactions.
During their conversation, Lee commended the Oval Office’s decor as a symbol of U.S. prosperity, receiving an acknowledgment of U.S. support from Trump. Lee gifted Trump golf-related items, along with cowboy hats and a turtle ship model. Despite the cordial atmosphere, crucial issues like defense spending, troop deployments, and tariffs remained unresolved. While South Korean firms like Korean Air and Hyundai planned major investments in the U.S., the 15% tariff on South Korean imports persisted, and Trump suggested that easing it would be challenging. Lee also raised concerns about North Korea’s growing nuclear capabilities. U.S. officials share anxieties regarding North Korea’s advancements in hypersonic and multi-warhead missile technologies.
North Korea’s recent actions, including a missile test and rejection of talks with South Korea, occurred in the backdrop of these discussions.