Washington: President Lee Jae Myung announced his intention to address a comprehensive range of North Korea-related issues in his pivotal summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting is set to take place at the White House amid ongoing tensions as North Korea has recently spurned Lee's peace initiatives.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee made these comments while en route from Tokyo to Washington. This summit marks his first with President Trump and follows Lee's recent introduction of a three-stage denuclearization strategy for North Korea. The plan aims to convince Pyongyang to initially freeze, then reduce, and ultimately dismantle its nuclear arsenal.
During his flight, Lee assured reporters of his commitment to openly discussing all necessary matters concerning North Korea with President Trump. He underscored the critical importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for the security of South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea.
There are speculations about a potential meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un if Trump visits South Korea for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in late October. This could rekindle the diplomatic engagement from Trump's first term, during which he and Kim held three summits.
When questioned about the possibility of inviting Kim, Lee dismissed comparisons to the diplomatic thaw during the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. He highlighted the deteriorating situation marked by increased hostility and North Korea's advanced nuclear and missile capabilities, emphasizing the heightened need for dialogue.
Lee also addressed a recent critical statement from Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong-un, who rebuffed his peace efforts and criticized him personally. Lee expressed no anger over the remarks and reiterated his dedication to dialogue for achieving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
He concluded by emphasizing that South Korea will continue to pursue dialogue and communication with North Korea, supported by strong security and deterrence measures. This approach aims to reduce military confrontation risks, boost the economy, and alleviate public concerns, aligning with South Korea's national interests.