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President Lee Jae-myung shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during their summit at the White House in Washington, D.C., on August 25. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung urged U.S. President Donald Trump to play the role of a “peacemaker” during their first summit at the White House on August 25, highlighting North Korea policy as the key agenda while also reinforcing economic cooperation in shipbuilding. Sensitive issues such as further opening of Korea’s agricultural market were excluded from the official agenda.

“Please play the role of a peacemaker who can bring world peace,” Lee told Trump, adding with a smile that he hoped Trump would meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and even consider building a “Trump World” resort in the North, where he too could play golf. He also suggested actively pursuing another Trump-Kim meeting.

While the official centerpiece of the talks was “modernizing the alliance” through economic and trade cooperation, Lee opened with the “North Korea menu,” appealing directly to Trump’s long-standing interest in being seen as a Nobel Peace Prize candidate. Echoing other world leaders who have praised Trump in hopes of strengthening ties, Lee added, “I will be the pacemaker, working hard to support you.” Trump responded, “President Lee will receive full support from the United States.”

Lee went further, saying, “Among world leaders, it is the first time I have seen someone as focused on peace and as effective as President Trump. The only person capable of solving this issue is you.”

Trump replied, “Chairman Kim and I have a good relationship. There is a role I can play in inter-Korean relations, working together with Korea’s leader.” He added that he expected to meet Kim “this year or next.”

On U.S. troop levels in South Korea, Trump said, “That is not the case” when asked about possible reductions, but hinted he could request ownership rights to U.S. bases in Korea. On whether he would attend this year’s APEC summit in Gyeongju, Trump said, “I may go.”

After the meeting, Lee appeared at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and declared the summit a success, his face glowing as though celebrating an election victory. “It was very good. We talked much more than we expected, in a serious and cooperative manner,” he said.

National Security Office chief Wi Sung-lac also told reporters that the summit produced meaningful outcomes in three areas: stabilizing economic and trade relations, modernizing the alliance, and pioneering new areas of cooperation. He noted that Trump had praised Lee’s earlier trip to Japan before visiting the U.S., calling it “a very good idea.”

Lee arrived at the White House at 12:33 p.m. and was welcomed personally by Trump. The summit began at 12:43 p.m. and continued until 2:59 p.m., spanning an extended meeting and a working lunch.