Trump Tells Lee He’ll Play Whatever Role Is Needed on Korean Peninsula

Lee, Trump Hold Informal Talks at G7 Summit

Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Stronger U.S.-South Korea Cooperation on Korean Peninsula, Shipbuilding

U.S. President Donald Trump told South Korean President Lee Jae-myung that he would play whatever role is needed to advance Korean Peninsula issues. The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation after broadly discussing the Middle East, the Korean Peninsula and shipbuilding on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit.

Oh Hyun-joo, third deputy director of the National Security Office, said at a press briefing in Evian, France, on June 17 that Lee and Trump sat side by side for about two hours at the official G7 dinner the previous day and held an extended conversation.

The conversation began with the agreement in U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks, Oh said. Lee welcomed the deal and congratulated Trump, noting in particular that it was reached on the U.S. president’s birthday.

Lee also praised Trump’s efforts to establish peace in the Middle East and resolve Iran’s nuclear issue. The two leaders agreed on the importance of free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. They also shared expectations that restoring stability in the Middle East could help stabilize global oil prices and support a recovery in the global economy.

The Korean Peninsula was also a major topic.

Lee asked Trump to maintain his interest and play a role in helping sustainable peace take hold on the peninsula following developments in the Middle East. Trump, in response, showed strong interest in the peninsula’s geopolitical characteristics and inter-Korean relations.

Trump said he would play whatever role is necessary to help advance Korean Peninsula issues, according to Oh.

He also said he would consider ways he could contribute to peace on the peninsula and conveyed his intention to remain in close communication with Lee on related matters.

The two leaders also found common ground on expanding economic cooperation, including in shipbuilding, and on the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S. and Japan based on the strong South Korea-U.S. alliance. Trump also described Lee as a “strong leader” and said he expects the two presidents to contribute together to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the broader region.

A separate bilateral summit between the two leaders, which had drawn attention, did not take place. Instead, South Korea’s presidential office said the leaders had several natural encounters during the official dinner, a reception for invited countries and the G7 meetings, allowing them to exchange views extensively on major issues.

The presidential office said the G7 summit reaffirmed South Korea’s status as a “globally responsible leading nation.”

South Korea plans to join most of the summit outcome documents, including those related to development, health, energy security and artificial intelligence. The country also held bilateral talks with Germany, Canada and Kenya on the sidelines of this year’s G7 summit, the presidential office said.

Oh said South Korea’s invitation to attend the G7 summit for a second straight year showed the international community’s trust in and expectations for the country’s global role. She added that Seoul plans to turn discussions on global issues into tangible results as it prepares to assume the G20 presidency in 2028.

Kim Yeon-ji, Hankyung.com reporter kongzi@hankyung.com