'Trump's Early Return' Cancels Korea-U.S. Summit... "U.S. Side Sought Understanding"

Trump Rushes Home Due to Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict
"No Diplomatic Discourtesy... President Lee Was Briefed Immediately After Contact"
Korea-Japan Summit Scheduled for Tomorrow Afternoon

The presidential office announced on June 16 (local time) that the summit meeting between President Lee Jaemyung and U.S. President Donald Trump was canceled due to President Trump's early return to the United States. President Trump chose to return home early during the ongoing Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensified.

Wi Seongrak, Director of the National Security Office, explained during a briefing held at the Press Center that "since President Trump suddenly had to return home today, it has become difficult to hold the Korea-U.S. summit that was scheduled for tomorrow." He added, "Such situations occasionally occur with summits held on the sidelines of multilateral meetings," and noted, "It appears to be related to the military conflict between Israel and Iran."

It was reported that the U.S. side contacted the Korean side to seek understanding after canceling the scheduled summit. Director Wi stated, "The U.S. side contacted us around the time this situation arose to seek our understanding."

An official from the presidential office explained that the situation was not considered discourteous, given that the U.S. had sought understanding. The official said, "It seems that the decision was made very urgently on the U.S. side," and added, "President Lee was briefed immediately after the contact was received."

Regarding the timing when the news of President Trump's return was first received, an official from the presidential office said, "It was around the time President Lee was attending a local reception," and added, "It seems that a summit with the Australian leader was also scheduled for tomorrow, but since all the meetings were canceled, President Lee and the Australian leader discussed the situation together."

The presidential office, following the cancellation of the summit, stated that it would seek another opportunity to reschedule the meeting and that related discussions were ongoing through diplomatic channels. In response to a question about the possibility of arranging a Korea-U.S. summit on the occasion of the NATO summit to be held in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 24-25, the official replied, "If President Lee attends the NATO summit, that could be possible." The official added that after being briefed on the plan to reschedule the summit as soon as possible, President Lee responded by saying, "Proceed accordingly."

Regarding the possibility of an additional phone call between the leaders of Korea and the United States, the official said that there are currently no such plans. The official explained, "There was a recent phone call between the two leaders, and at this moment, the situation was urgent enough that President Trump had to leave the G7 summit and return home midway."

Meanwhile, the Korea-Japan summit has been confirmed for the afternoon of June 17, local time. Director Wi stated, "It has been decided that the Korea-Japan summit will be held tomorrow afternoon."