At the historic National Museum of Gyeongju, President Donald Trump and ROK President Lee Jae-Myung sat down for a working lunch that could reshape US-ROK ties. Greeted with a gold crown and the Grand Order of Mugunghwa sash, Trump quipped, "I’d like to wear it right now," as Lee presented the countrys highest honor. The ceremonial flair set the stage for serious talks.
Both leaders zeroed in on a $350 billion investment package first announced in July. While the deal was hailed as a way for the ROK to sidestep the most severe US tariffs, negotiations have since hit a roadblock over how and where those billions would flow. Trump expressed optimism that the deal could be finalized "very soon," even as officials warned that a breakthrough this week was no sure thing.
Lee pledged to boost defense spending, addressing Trumps frequent call for allies to shoulder more of their security burden. Seoul also asked Washington to greenlight nuclear fuel reprocessing for future submarine programs 1 a sensitive request tied to nonproliferation rules under the bilateral nuclear cooperation pact.
Beyond trade and defense, the two leaders discussed regional stability. Trump vowed to help "straighten out" tensions on the Korean Peninsula, spotlighting the ongoing challenges posed by the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.
With APEC leaders gathering nearby for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the meeting underscored how geopolitics and global markets are increasingly intertwined. For young global citizens, entrepreneurs, and changemakers watching from around the G20, the outcome in Gyeongju could signal the future of trade, security, and regional diplomacy in Asia.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
