In a White House meeting on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Republic of Korea (ROK) President Lee Jae-myung, revealing he hopes to sit down with Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un later this year.
Trump emphasized his strong rapport with Kim, noting the DPRK's 'tremendous potential' and recalling their historic summits in Singapore in June 2018, Hanoi in February 2019, and Panmunjom that June. The announcement signals a renewed push for nuclear diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula.
Despite a rocky start—Trump had ignited headlines on social media by hinting at a 'Purge or Revolution' in the ROK before walking back his comments—the two leaders moved quickly to solidify ties. In July, they clinched a trade deal that includes $350 billion in promised ROK investments and spares key South Korean exports from harsher U.S. tariffs.
Still, critical issues remain: nuclear energy cooperation, military burden sharing, and the future of U.S. troops. When asked about reducing U.S. forces in the ROK, Trump stayed noncommittal but suggested South Korea could transfer ownership of bases like Camp Humphreys to the United States.
President Lee, who prepared for the visit by reading Trump's 1987 memoir The Art of the Deal, praised the American leader's diplomatic flair and even brought up golf as common ground. He urged Trump to engage more deeply with the DPRK, reflecting a new wave of young global changemakers pushing for sustainable peace.
As 2024 unfolds, all eyes will be on whether this political triangle can turn optimism into real-world breakthroughs on nuclear disarmament, economic cooperation, and lasting peace in Northeast Asia.
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Trump says he hopes to meet Kim Jong Un at meeting with ROK's Lee
cgtn.com
