Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday expressed optimism that the United States could successfully restart dialogue with North Korea, highlighting the importance of strong U.S.–South Korea relations in achieving this goal. Speaking about his recent engagements, Lee praised U.S. President Donald Trump as a pragmatic leader and skilled negotiator, emphasizing the personal rapport that has developed between the two leaders.
Lee described his meetings with Trump as “interesting and entertaining,” and lauded him as a “realist, pragmatist, and master of dealmaking who respects his counterparts.” Since taking office in June, Lee has met Trump twice, culminating in a $350 billion U.S. investment package, a major economic and strategic agreement signaling renewed cooperation between Seoul and Washington. Lee suggested that this strengthened relationship could serve as a platform to encourage Pyongyang to return to diplomatic talks, noting that North Korea appears to respond more attentively to U.S. initiatives than direct overtures from South Korea.
Beyond U.S. ties, Lee emphasized the significance of maintaining stable relations with China, South Korea’s largest trading partner. Recalling his recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lee described the discussions as productive and cordial. He expressed the hope of a forthcoming visit to Beijing to further strengthen bilateral ties, highlighting a pragmatic approach to balancing relations between Washington and Beijing while pursuing regional stability.
The Korean Peninsula remains a high-risk geopolitical hotspot, with the two Koreas technically still at war. North Korea has repeatedly rebuffed diplomatic overtures following previous breakdowns in talks over its nuclear and missile programs. Lee’s approach represents a cautious attempt to foster peace through a combination of diplomacy, economic incentives, and strategic alignment with both the U.S. and China. Success could pave the way for renewed discussions on denuclearization, arms control, and long-term regional stability, while failure could escalate tensions and prompt renewed military posturing.
Acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding North Korea’s response, Lee cited recent missed opportunities, including a potential meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the APEC summit. He stressed that circumstances are fluid, but pledged that South Korea would continue to create conditions conducive to dialogue and communication.
As Seoul seeks to navigate this complex diplomatic landscape, the administration under Lee Jae Myung is carefully balancing its strong alliance with the United States, the strategic and economic importance of China, and the persistent challenge posed by North Korea. The coming months will be critical in determining whether this multilateral, cautious approach can yield tangible progress toward peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.