Trump Wants To Meet North Korea’s Kim This Year, He Tells South Korea
President Donald Trump announced Monday that he hopes to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year, signaling renewed diplomatic interest while hosting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House.
“I’d like to meet him this year,” Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with Lee. “I look forward to meeting with Kim Jong Un in the appropriate future.”
Ongoing Trade and Security Tensions
Despite a July trade agreement that shielded South Korea from higher U.S. tariffs, Trump continued to press Lee on unresolved issues, including military costs, nuclear energy cooperation, and implementation of the $350 billion South Korean investment package promised to the U.S.
After their meeting, Lee joined top U.S. officials and business leaders—including executives from Boeing, Nvidia, Honeywell, and General Motors—for a U.S.–South Korea business forum. Korean Air is reportedly set to announce a deal to purchase 100 Boeing aircraft.
Trump Pressures Seoul Over Military Presence
Trump also raised the issue of U.S. troop basing in South Korea, questioning whether Seoul should give the U.S. ownership of Camp Humphreys, the massive U.S. Army garrison in Pyeongtaek.
“I don’t want to say that now,” Trump said when asked whether troop levels might change, “but maybe Seoul should give us the land where we have the big fort.”
Lee pushed back, warning against using U.S. troops more broadly in the region, especially in a way that would provoke China—South Korea’s largest trading partner. Lee has also dispatched a diplomatic delegation to Beijing to improve ties with China as he met with Trump in Washington.
Tensions Over Internal Investigations
Trump hinted he would raise concerns with Lee over alleged South Korean investigations into Christian churches and a joint U.S.–Korean military base. South Korean police recently raided Sarang Jeil Church, headed by conservative pastor Jun Kwang-hoon, and served a search warrant on a Korean-controlled section of a U.S. military installation. Seoul insists no U.S. personnel or assets were targeted.
Kim Jong Un’s Silence and Military Activity
North Korea has not responded to Trump’s repeated invitations to resume direct diplomacy since his return to office in January. Kim has instead escalated rhetoric, overseeing tests of new air defense systems and condemning joint U.S.–South Korea military drills.
Lee Encourages Engagement, Floats ‘Trump World’ in North Korea
During his White House visit, President Lee struck a lighthearted tone, telling Trump he had reread The Art of the Deal to prepare and suggesting a potential “Trump World” real estate project in North Korea. “I hope you can bring peace to the Korean Peninsula,” Lee said. “Build a Trump World in North Korea so I can play golf there.”
Looking Ahead
Trump is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea from October 30 to November 1. Lee will highlight Korean investment during a visit to a Philadelphia shipyard owned by Hanwha Group on Tuesday.