President Lee Raises Security Issues of Nuclear-Powered Submarines and Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing First [Gyeongju APEC]

Request for Substantive Progress in Uranium Enrichment
On Tariff Negotiations: "Expanding U.S. Investment, Contributing to Manufacturing Revival"... Trump Says "The Remaining Clouds Will Soon Clear"
On the Failed Trump-Kim Meeting: "Even Just Requesting Talks Brings Considerable Peace and Warmth to the Korean Peninsula"
Trump: "Could Not Get the Timing Right... Looking Forward to Meeting Kim Jong Un"
Second U.S.-South Korea Summit Lasts 87 Minutes

President Lee Jaemyung requested U.S. President Donald Trump, who is visiting as a state guest, to make a decisive move to allow South Korea to receive fuel for nuclear-powered submarines. He also asked President Trump to give instructions so that substantive consultations could progress in the areas of nuclear fuel reprocessing and uranium enrichment. By raising these issues first, he emphasized the importance of the U.S.-South Korea security package centered on alliance modernization. Regarding the stalled U.S. investment package negotiations, President Lee said that expanding Korean investment in the United States would help revitalize American manufacturing, including the shipbuilding industry. In response, President Trump expressed his intention to swiftly reach an agreement, stating, "There are still clouds remaining, but they will soon clear." President Trump also said he would continue to pursue meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

On the 29th, during the expanded luncheon remarks at the second U.S.-South Korea summit, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, President Lee said, "I believe there may have been some misunderstandings because I did not provide a sufficiently detailed explanation before. We are not seeking to build submarines armed with nuclear weapons," clarifying his position. The summit, which was delayed by more than an hour and a half from its original schedule, began at 2:39 p.m. and lasted for 87 minutes.

President Lee further clarified, "We are not trying to build submarines equipped with nuclear weapons," explaining, "Diesel submarines have limited underwater endurance, which restricts our ability to track North Korean and Chinese submarines." He added, "If you allow us to receive fuel for nuclear-powered submarines, we will build several submarines equipped with conventional weapons using our own technology," and persuaded, "If South Korea conducts maritime defense operations in the East and West Seas of the Korean Peninsula, it could significantly reduce the burden on U.S. forces."

He also asked for instructions to enable substantive consultations in the area of uranium enrichment. President Lee said, "I understand that you have already expressed your support," and explained, "If you give instructions so that substantive consultations can progress in the areas of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing and uranium enrichment, I believe these issues can be resolved more quickly."

President Lee also pledged to firmly support the defense industry and increase defense spending to reduce the U.S. defense burden. Regarding the stalled U.S. investment package, he reiterated his intention to support the revival of American manufacturing, including the shipbuilding industry, through expanded investment and purchases in the United States. President Lee said, "The U.S.-South Korea relationship must develop into a future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance through alliance modernization," adding, "We will significantly enhance our self-defense capabilities through increased defense spending and the development of the defense industry." He once again emphasized his commitment to reducing the U.S. defense burden.

Regarding the U.S. investment package negotiations, which have failed to find common ground on key issues such as the proportion of cash investment and the period for installment payments, President Lee referenced the record-high U.S. stock index and said, "We will support the revival of American manufacturing through expanded investment and purchases in the United States." He added, "We will also actively support cooperation in shipbuilding," and explained, "This will not only benefit the economies of both countries but will also help to realize and deepen the U.S.-South Korea alliance."

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee on the Failed Trump-Kim Meeting: "Even Just Requesting a Meeting Brings Considerable Peace and Warmth to the Korean Peninsula"

Regarding peace on the Korean Peninsula, President Lee stated that although the much-anticipated U.S.-North Korea summit did not take place, he would faithfully fulfill his role as a "pacemaker." During the first U.S.-South Korea summit in August, President Lee had asked President Trump to continue paying attention to peace on the Korean Peninsula, saying that if President Trump became the "peacemaker," he would serve as the "pacemaker."

President Lee said, "Just by requesting a meeting and stating that you are willing to accept talks with Chairman Kim Jong Un at any time, you are already bringing considerable warmth and peace to the Korean Peninsula." He continued, "If President Trump uses his great capabilities to bring peace to the world and the Korean Peninsula, I will faithfully fulfill my role as a pacemaker, adjusting the conditions as needed."

President Lee evaluated, "Although Chairman Kim Jong Un was unable to fully accept or understand President Trump's true intentions, resulting in the meeting not taking place, I believe this will serve as a seed that could eventually spark a great wave of peace on the Korean Peninsula." He added, "We have high expectations and will closely watch President Trump's efforts."

President Lee also praised President Trump's achievements as a "peacemaker." He said, "What is truly remarkable is that in the nine months since President Trump took office, he has brought peace to eight conflict regions around the world," adding, "He is truly fulfilling his role as a peacemaker." President Lee emphasized, "You have been resolving issues that, almost every month, have resulted in many deaths or mass destruction. If that great ability leads to peace on the Korean Peninsula, it will be a significant achievement in resolving a long-standing issue for the people of South Korea."

Yonhap News Agency

Trump: "There Are Still Clouds (Tariff Negotiations) Between Our Countries, but They Will Soon Clear" ... Despite the Failed U.S.-North Korea Summit, "Looking Forward to Meeting Kim Jong Un"

Following President Lee's remarks, President Trump said that strengthening cooperation with South Korea in shipbuilding would help the United States regain its position as a global leader in the industry. He expressed regret over the failed meeting with Chairman Kim Jong Un but reiterated his intention to pursue a future meeting.

President Trump pointed out, "During World War II, the United States was number one in shipbuilding, but a series of very bad decisions and a lack of interest afterward meant we did not build as many ships as we could have." He continued, "Shipbuilding is essential; we are working together at the Philadelphia Shipyard and other places. You are coming in and building ships together with us in the United States," adding, "We will start building ships and will rise to the top again in a short period of time."

He also expressed his intention to quickly resolve the stalled tariff negotiations. President Trump said, "There are still clouds between our countries, but they will soon clear." In his special address at the APEC CEO Summit held before the summit, President Trump said, "Based on my visit to Asia, we have concluded trade agreements with Malaysia, Cambodia, and Japan, and we will soon conclude a trade agreement with South Korea as well."

President Trump also expressed his commitment to contributing to easing tensions and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. He said, "I know that you (North and South Korea) are officially in a state of war on the Korean Peninsula, and we will see what we can do to set all of that right." He added, "We will work very hard with you, your team, and many others to see if we can do something reasonable."

He once again expressed regret that a meeting with Chairman Kim Jong Un could not take place, but reiterated his intention to pursue a future meeting. He said, "I know Kim Jong Un very well. We get along very well. We just could not get the timing right," expressing his disappointment that the meeting did not happen. He repeatedly emphasized that the main purpose of this visit was the summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for the 30th. President Trump said, "I look forward to meeting him (Kim Jong Un), and that was really our focus for this visit." He added, "But we will have other visits as well, and we will work very hard with Kim Jong Un and everyone else to set things right."

Yonhap News Agency