Presidential Office: "Trump Calls Lee Jaemyung the Best Leader in Tariff Negotiations" [Gyeongju APEC]

Yonhap News Agency

The presidential office announced on October 30 that U.S. President Donald Trump referred to President Lee Jaemyung and South Korea as "the leader and country that negotiated tariffs the best."

Kim Namjoon, spokesperson for the presidential office, made this statement during a briefing on the afternoon of the same day, while providing details about the Korea-U.S. summit held the previous day and the special state dinner hosted by President Lee.

According to spokesperson Kim, during the luncheon summit, President Trump repeatedly told President Lee, "Let me know if you need anything at any time," and asked several times, "What do you need?"

President Trump also praised President Lee, saying, "You should be proud of yourself. I am proud of you as well."

At the special state dinner, with other leaders in attendance, President Trump publicly complimented President Lee. Regarding President Lee's introduction of the "nuclear-powered submarine" agenda at the summit, Trump reportedly said, "That's impressive."

Spokesperson Kim explained that President Lee's public remarks about nuclear-powered submarines were intended to emphasize the importance of this agenda item.

Meanwhile, after the summit, President Lee reportedly told his aides, "We need to strengthen our national power," and remarked, "President Trump is a remarkable negotiator," according to spokesperson Kim.