Yoon and Trump Agree to Meet Soon Following Congratulatory Phone Call.

SEOUL: President Yoon Suk Yeol held a phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday to congratulate him on his "landslide victory," and they agreed to hold an in-person meeting at an early date, according to Yoon's office. Yoon expressed optimism for continued collaboration with the United States under Trump's leadership.According to Yonhap News Agency, Yoon congratulated Trump on his victory with the "Make America Great Again" slogan, signaling hope for a robust partnership. Trump reciprocated by expressing gratitude and a desire to maintain the cooperative relationship between South Korea and the U.S. The call, which lasted about 12 minutes, included discussions on security, the economy, and global issues. Both leaders agreed to arrange an in-person meeting soon to further these discussions.Yoon noted that Trump's first term laid the groundwork for a strong trilateral relationship among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. He expressed the ambition to develop the U.S.-South Korea alliance i nto a comprehensive partnership covering security and economic areas. They also addressed security concerns regarding North Korea's recent nuclear activities, missile launches, and troop deployment to Russia, emphasizing the urgency of the situation in Ukraine.Trump highlighted the desire for collaboration in the shipbuilding sector, specifically focusing on naval shipbuilding, exports, repairs, and maintenance. Both leaders acknowledged the importance of an in-person meeting to delve deeper into these topics and committed to coordinating a date and location soon.Experts anticipate that a second Trump administration may bring shifts and unpredictability to the U.S.-South Korea alliance, possibly increasing pressure on Seoul to bear a larger share of the alliance's burden. A significant area of focus will be Trump's approach to North Korea's denuclearization and his strategies regarding Russia's war in Ukraine, especially with North Korean troops supporting Moscow.Trump, known for his transactional appro ach to alliances, might look to renegotiate the defense cost-sharing agreement with South Korea, potentially increasing Seoul's share of the costs for the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the country.