US President Donald Trump mentioned on Monday (august 25) he hopes to satisfy North Korean chief Kim Jong Un this 12 months. Talking within the Oval Workplace whereas welcoming South Korea’s new President Lee Jae Myung, Trump mentioned:
“I might like to satisfy him this 12 months. I look ahead to assembly with Kim Jong Un within the applicable future.”
Tense first assembly with South Korea
Trump and Lee met for the primary time amid lingering tensions. The U.S. president had earlier raised imprecise complaints a few “Purge or Revolution” in South Korea on social media however later walked again the feedback, attributing them to a potential “misunderstanding.”
Regardless of a July commerce deal that spared South Korean exports from harsher U.S. tariffs, Trump and Lee are negotiating over nuclear power, navy spending, and the main points of South Korea’s $350 billion funding pledge within the U.S.
Lee praises Trump and encourages peace efforts
Throughout the Oval Workplace assembly, President Lee prevented confrontation, as an alternative lavishing reward on Trump’s inside design and diplomacy. He mentioned: “I hope you’ll be able to deliver peace to the Korean Peninsula, the one divided nation on the earth, as a way to meet with Kim Jong Un, construct a Trump World [real-estate complex] in North Korea in order that I can play golf there, and as a way to actually play a job as a world-historical peacemaker.”
Lee additionally referenced Trump’s previous diplomacy with North Korea, suggesting that Kim wouldn’t have superior his nuclear capabilities if Trump had remained in workplace.
Protection and commerce points loom massive
Trump is urgent Lee on the prevailing commerce deal and U.S. protection spending in South Korea, together with the maintenance of 28,500 American troops stationed within the nation. On the potential of lowering U.S. troop numbers, Trump mentioned: “I do not wish to say that now, however perhaps South Korea ought to give the U.S. possession of the land the place now we have the large fort,” referring probably to Camp Humphreys.
Lee, nevertheless, emphasised that Seoul would wrestle to just accept calls for for extra flexibility over U.S. troops, particularly in operations associated to China.
Investigations in South Korea draw US consideration
Trump indicated he would focus on intelligence concerning raids on church buildings and a navy base in South Korea. Current actions embrace a police raid on Sarang Jeil Church and a search warrant on a collectively operated navy base, associated to investigations into supporters of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Financial diplomacy and US-China relations
Forward of the go to, Lee despatched a delegation to Beijing to normalize ties with China. Within the U.S., Lee is predicted to focus on South Korea’s deliberate investments, together with a go to to Hanwha Group’s Philadelphia shipyard. Trump will later attend the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea from October 30 to November 1.
