President Lee Jae Myung holds first phone call with President Trump
Both leaders to pursue swift, mutually satisfactory agreement on tariffs
President Trump invites President Lee to visit the United States
President Lee Jae Myung is holding the receiver to make a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump at the residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee Jae Myung held his first phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on the 6th. During the conversation, the two leaders discussed efforts to further develop the South Korea-U.S. alliance and to resolve tariff issues. They also talked about assassination threats they had faced and their golf skills.
According to the presidential office, President Lee spoke with President Trump for about 20 minutes starting at around 22:00 on this day. The call with President Trump came just three days after President Lee’s inauguration. The presidential office had initially aimed to arrange a call between the two leaders on the night of President Lee’s first day in office, June 4, but it was reportedly delayed due to scheduling issues on the U.S. side.
According to the presidential office, President Trump congratulated President Lee on his election victory, and President Lee expressed his gratitude for the congratulations.
A presidential office official explained that President Lee emphasized the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, which is the foundation of South Korean diplomacy. The two presidents also expressed high regard for each other's leadership and agreed to work closely together to further advance the alliance.
Regarding the tariff issue between South Korea and the United States, the two presidents agreed to make efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement as soon as possible. They also decided to encourage working-level negotiations to produce tangible results.
President Trump also invited President Lee to visit the United States. President Lee responded by expressing his hope that the two countries, as special allies, would meet and consult frequently. The two leaders agreed to meet at the earliest possible opportunity, either on the sidelines of a multilateral meeting or through a bilateral visit, for in-depth discussions on advancing the alliance.
A presidential office official stated, "Today's call took place in a friendly and candid atmosphere," and added, "The two presidents also shared various episodes and experiences from their election campaigns." The official continued, "In particular, they discussed the assassination threats and political challenges they had each faced, and agreed that overcoming such difficulties leads to strong leadership."
The two presidents also introduced their respective golf skills and promised to play a round together for the sake of the alliance when their schedules allow.
Meanwhile, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who took office in May 2022, spoke with then-U.S. President Joe Biden just five hours after his election victory on March 10 of the same year. Former President Moon Jae In held a phone call with President Trump on May 10, 2017, the day he was inaugurated. Former President Park Geun Hye spoke with then-President Barack Obama on December 21, 2012, after her election victory.
Some opposition figures have raised concerns about "Korea passing," citing the delay in arranging the phone call.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
