Background on Key Figures
Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, has expressed his intention to meet again with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un. Meanwhile, Trump launched an unprecedented attack against the current South Korean President, Lee Jae-myung, who was set to visit the White House.
The Meeting and Trump’s Statements
On Monday, Trump stated that he hopes to meet with Kim Jong-un once more. Hours before Lee Jae-myung’s planned visit to the White House, Trump took to social media to denounce what he called a “Purge or Revolution” in South Korea, reportedly due to allegations of church raids.
Approximately forty minutes after a meeting in the Oval Office where Lee praised Trump extensively, the U.S. leader dismissed his own strong criticism, saying, “I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding” because “there’s a rumor going around.”
Trump claimed he was on the same page as Lee regarding North Korea, describing it as a progressive nation that supports diplomacy over confrontation.
Lee, a human rights lawyer who has previously criticized the U.S. military, quickly flattered his host and stated that Trump had transformed the United States “not just into a guardian of peace, but a maker of peace.”
“I look forward to your meeting with President Kim Jong-un and the construction of a Trump Tower in North Korea, as well as playing golf there,” Lee told Trump.
Kim “will be waiting for you,” Lee assured Trump.
Lee, elected in June following the ousting of Yoon Suk Yeol—who took a more aggressive stance and briefly imposed martial law in the country—is visiting Washington in search of trade agreements and to discuss strategies towards North Korea. The North Korean leader oversaw defense anti-aircraft missile tests on Saturday, according to the official KCNA news agency.
Lee communicated with Trump through an interpreter, altering the American leader’s tone, who is known for his combative nature with guests.
Trump, who frequently accuses European allies of taking advantage of the U.S., made it clear that he would push for greater compensation from South Korea for the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.
Trump even suggested that the U.S. might want to take control of the lands where its military base is located, a proposal likely to anger Lee’s counterparts on the South Korean left.
Trump’s History with North Korea
During his first term, Trump met with Kim Jong-un three times. He praised their relationship and claimed to know Kim “better than almost anyone, except maybe his sister.”
“I will see him again. I look forward to it. He was very good to me,” Trump told reporters before receiving the South Korean president.
Trump stated that North Korea had been launching fewer missiles since his return to the White House on January 20.
He once referred to Kim as someone he “fell in love with,” and their meetings reduced tensions but failed to achieve a lasting agreement.
Since then, Kim has developed close ties with Russia, sending troops to fight in Ukraine, and has firmly refused to dismantle North Korea’s nuclear program.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the key figures mentioned in this article? The key figures are Donald Trump, the former U.S. President; Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea; and Lee Jae-myung, the current President of South Korea.
- What is the purpose of Lee Jae-myung’s visit to the White House? Lee Jae-myung aims to discuss trade agreements with Trump and explore strategies regarding North Korea.
- What is the current state of U.S.-North Korea relations? Trump claims North Korea has reduced missile launches since his return to the White House, but Kim has strengthened ties with Russia and maintained his nuclear program.
- What is Trump’s stance on the U.S. military presence in South Korea? Trump insists on greater compensation from South Korea for the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed there and has suggested taking control of the lands where the military base is located.
