President Lee: "Trump's Request to Meet Kim Jong-un Alone Brings Warmth of Peace to the Korean Peninsula" [Gyeongju APEC]

President Lee Jae-myung, Holds Expanded Korea-U.S. Luncheon on the 29th
"Kim Jong-un Meeting Did Not Materialize, But Will Serve as a Starting Point for Peace"

President Lee Jae-myung is greeting U.S. President Donald Trump, who arrived at Gyeongju Museum in Gyeongbuk on the 29th for the Korea-U.S. summit. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 29th, President Lee Jae-myung met with U.S. President Donald Trump and stated, "The fact that you have requested a meeting and talks with Chairman Kim Jong-un of North Korea, and expressed your willingness to accept at any time, in itself creates a significant sense of peace on the Korean Peninsula."

During an expanded luncheon meeting with President Trump held at the National Gyeongju Museum, President Lee said, "If you, President Trump, use your great capabilities to bring peace to the world and the Korean Peninsula, I will faithfully fulfill my role as a pacemaker who adjusts the circumstances," expressing his commitment.

President Lee also remarked, "Although Chairman Kim Jong-un was unable to fully accept or understand your true intentions, which led to the talks not materializing, I believe that this, too, will serve as a seed and become the starting point for a great wave of peace on the Korean Peninsula."

He added, "With great expectations, we will continue to closely observe your activities, President Trump."

President Lee further praised, "What is truly remarkable is that, although it has only been nine months since President Trump took office, you have already brought peace to eight conflict regions around the world," commending his role as a true peacemaker.

He continued, "You have successfully resolved issues that, almost every month, have resulted in the deaths of many people or large-scale destruction. If your remarkable abilities can be remembered as an achievement that establishes peace on the Korean Peninsula, it would be a great accomplishment for the people of the Republic of Korea in resolving a long-standing issue."