Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday expressed his hope to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year, renewing his desire to reengage with the reclusive leader, as he held his first in-person summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Washington.
According to Yonhap News Agency, sitting next to Lee at the Oval Office, Trump reiterated his claim of having a "great" relationship with Kim while highlighting North Korea's "tremendous" potential. Lee supported Trump's pursuit of dialogue with Kim, urging him to play a "peacemaker role" to forge a "new path" for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Trump expressed optimism about making "big progress" over diplomacy toward North Korea with Lee.
During a press availability, Trump responded to a question about meeting Kim by stating his intention to meet him this year. He emphasized his personal ties with Kim, which Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the North Korean leader, recently described as "not bad." Trump noted that it is beneficial to have a good relationship with Kim and expressed his willingness to work with Lee on North Korean issues, though it remains uncertain how Pyongyang will respond to diplomatic efforts from Seoul and Washington.
The meeting came amid expectations that Trump would seek to resume his personal diplomacy with Kim, following their previous summits in Singapore, Hanoi, and the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Trump also addressed the issue of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and expressed a desire for the United States to gain ownership of the land hosting U.S. military bases in South Korea, a move seen by some as an extension of Trump's "expansionism."
Trump's comments followed his earlier display of interest in acquiring Greenland, the Panama Canal, Canada, and Gaza. South Korea currently leases land for U.S. troops under the Status of Forces Agreement, a legal framework governing the status of U.S. forces. Trump mentioned the ownership issue while responding to a question about potential troop reductions, emphasizing the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
The discussion also touched on a recent trade deal between the two countries, with Trump noting that South Korea seeks renegotiation. The deal involves South Korea investing $350 billion in the U.S. in exchange for the U.S. lowering "reciprocal tariffs" from 25 percent to 15 percent. Trump indicated willingness to have serious discussions about trade, although he made it clear that renegotiation does not guarantee any concessions.
In a separate press availability, Trump reaffirmed the commitment to last month's trade deal, despite some issues raised by South Korea. He praised South Korea's shipbuilding capabilities and mentioned the possibility of a shipbuilding contract with the country as the U.S. aims to rebuild its industry.
Trump also addressed the sensitive issue of "comfort women," victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery, noting that it hinders cooperation between Japan and South Korea. Despite his earlier social media criticism of the new South Korean government, the meeting between Lee and Trump proceeded cordially.
Trump's social media post had alluded to a "purge or revolution" in South Korea, referencing ongoing investigations into former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Trump later clarified that his remarks were based on rumors of Korean investigators raiding churches and a military base, expressing confidence that the situation would be resolved.