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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung shares a laugh with U.S. President Donald Trump during their summit in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on August 25. / Source: Yonhap

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung told U.S. President Donald Trump on August 25 that he hoped Trump would “play the role of a global peacemaker,” as the two leaders held their first summit in the Oval Office of the White House. The meeting opened with a focus on North Korea policy and later turned to strengthening economic ties, particularly in shipbuilding.

Lee urged Trump to pursue peace on the Korean Peninsula, saying, “As the last divided nation in the world, we must achieve peace. Meet Kim Jong Un, build a ‘Trump World’ in North Korea, and let me play golf there.”

Although economic modernization of the alliance was the main agenda item, Lee sought to appeal to Trump’s long-standing dream of winning the Nobel Peace Prize. He praised Trump as a “peacemaker” and added, “I will be the pacemaker supporting your role.”

Lee further lauded Trump: “Among global leaders, you are the first to show both interest and tangible results in world peace. The only person who can truly resolve the inter-Korean stalemate is President Trump.”

Trump responded that he and Kim still had “a good relationship” and that he saw “a role to play in inter-Korean ties, working together with Korea’s leader.” He denied considering troop reductions in South Korea but floated the idea of requesting U.S. ownership of land currently leased for American bases.

On economic issues, Lee emphasized expanding cooperation beyond defense into industries such as shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing. “Korea has grown and prospered based on a strong alliance, and I hope to see this partnership expand into the future across the economy and science and technology,” he said.

Lee noted that Trump’s dream of “making America great again” was reflected in a renaissance in shipbuilding and manufacturing, and expressed hope Korea could be part of that process.

Trump agreed: “We will buy ships from Korea and build them with Korea. This will revive America’s shipbuilding industry and create opportunities for cooperation.” He also pointed to Alaska’s energy reserves, highlighting Korea’s $100 billion LNG purchase commitment from last month’s tariff negotiations.

Hours before the meeting, Trump had posted on social media, “What is happening in Korea? It looks like a purge or revolution,” raising tensions in Seoul. At an earlier executive order signing, he claimed Korea’s new government had “raided churches” and “even entered our military base.”

But during the summit, Trump softened, telling Lee it had been a “misunderstanding.”

Lee explained that the July investigation of the Osan Air Base targeted the South Korean Air Force’s Central Air Defense Command, not U.S. forces, and was part of a parliament-appointed special investigation into a coup attempt.

Lee arrived at the White House at 12:33 p.m., greeted by Trump at the West Wing entrance. The meeting, delayed by Trump’s earlier signing event, began at 12:43 p.m. and continued for more than two hours, with both small-group and expanded discussions.