South Korea’s Lee Urges Trump to Meet Kim Jong Un/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged U.S. President Donald Trump to meet with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un to pursue peace on the Korean Peninsula. Their White House summit touched on trade, U.S. military bases, and a controversial church raid in Seoul. Trump also weighed in on China tariffs and his talks with Vladimir Putin about Ukraine.
Trump–Lee White House Meeting Quick Looks
- Lee asks Trump to pursue peace and meet Kim Jong Un
- Trump says his relationship with Kim “still good”
- Trump raises concern over South Korea church raid
- Trump floats idea of U.S. ownership of Korean base land
- Both leaders discuss trade, shipbuilding, and U.S. defense contracts
- Trump signals openness to renegotiating trade deal with Seoul
- Lee jokes about a Trump Tower in Pyongyang
- Trump confirms recent call with Putin about Ukraine strikes
- Lee praises Trump as a “peacemaker”
- South Korean delegation includes senior ministers in trade, security, and foreign affairs
Deep Look: Lee Asks Trump to Meet Kim Jong Un in First White House Summit
WASHINGTON — August 25, 2025 – In his first official White House visit as South Korea’s president, Lee Jae Myung called on U.S. President Donald Trump to rekindle talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and take on the role of peacemaker in the world’s last divided nation.
“I hope you would make peace on the Korean Peninsula and meet with Kim Jong Un,” Lee said, praising Trump’s past diplomatic efforts. “You are the first president to have so much interest in peace and actually make achievements.”
The two leaders met in the Oval Office on Monday, where their discussions ranged from nuclear security and trade negotiations to U.S. military presence and domestic controversies in Seoul.
North Korea on the Agenda
Lee emphasized that North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs had advanced significantly during Trump’s absence from office, destabilizing the peninsula. By contrast, he credited Trump’s first term with maintaining relative calm.
Trump responded by affirming his past rapport with Kim:
“Kim Jong Un and I had a very good relationship, as you remember, and still do,” Trump said. “And they would not have developed further if I were president.”
Lee agreed: “I completely agree with you.”
Lee even joked about the possibility of a Trump Tower in Pyongyang, suggesting that one day he might play golf in North Korea’s capital.
U.S. Bases and Korean Land
Trump raised another sensitive issue — the status of U.S. military bases in South Korea, where roughly 28,000 American troops are stationed.
“Maybe one of the things I’d like to do is ask them to give us ownership of the land where we have the big fort,” Trump said. “Land is a big difference between giving and leasing.”
The proposal, if pursued, could significantly shift the dynamics of U.S.–South Korea defense agreements.
Trump Raises Controversial Church Raid
Trump also signaled concern about recent raids on churches in South Korea, telling reporters he had “heard bad things” and planned to question Lee about it.
His remarks appeared to reference a police raid earlier this month on Sarang Jeil Church, led by far-right pastor Jun Kwang-hun, linked to protests defending former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Two church members have since been convicted for storming a Seoul courthouse.
Lee’s government denies political motivations, but Trump suggested the raids could be “very vicious.”
Trade and Manufacturing Talks
The two leaders also discussed economic ties. Trump said he was open to renegotiating the U.S.–Korea trade deal, which currently places 15% tariffs on South Korean goods. He highlighted the U.S. as a major buyer of Korean military equipment and hinted at contracting ships from Korean yards.
Lee stressed his country’s desire to partner with the U.S. in semiconductors, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing:
“I believe that there is a renaissance in manufacturing, and I hope Korea can be part of it.”
Trump Confirms Call With Putin
Beyond Korean issues, Trump revealed he had spoken again with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following their recent summit in Alaska. He expressed frustration that Russian attacks on Ukraine continued despite his conversations with Putin.
“Every conversation I have with him is good. Then unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kyiv,” Trump said.
Trump suggested Putin “doesn’t like” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which he said complicates peace talks. He confirmed that U.S. air assets could be part of future security guarantees for Ukraine but offered no specifics.
Trump on China
Trump also addressed China during the meeting, threatening new 200% tariffs if Beijing fails to provide key industrial materials like magnets. He said President Xi Jinping had invited him to China and joked with Lee about traveling there together to “save energy.”
South Korea’s Delegation
Lee was accompanied by a large delegation, including Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Trade Minister Kim Jung-kwan, National Security Director Wi Sung-lac, and other top aides. The group’s presence underscored the breadth of issues on the table — from trade to military cooperation.
Outlook
The Trump–Lee meeting reinforced both the alliance’s durability and its ongoing tensions. While Lee praised Trump as a “peacemaker,” discussions of trade renegotiation, church raids, and base ownership underscored the complex balancing act ahead for both leaders.
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