President Lee: "Trump Believes It's Time to Talk with Kim Jong Un... Frustrated Over How to Proceed" (Comprehensive)

"Willingness for U.S.-North Korea Dialogue, but No Concrete Plans Yet"

President Lee Tells Trump, "Sanctions and Pressure Alone Won't Solve the Issue"... "Trump Largely Agreed"

"Negotiations Should Start with Halting Additional Nuclear Material and ICBM Development"... No Discussion on Defense Cost Sharing

During the G7 Summit held in Evian, France, President Lee Jae-myung had an extended conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. According to President Lee, President Trump recognizes the need for dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un regarding North Korea issues, but expressed frustration over the lack of a concrete approach. During their discussion, President Lee explained to President Trump that, rather than insisting on immediate complete denuclearization, a phased approach that first halts additional production of nuclear materials and the development of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology is a more realistic solution to the North Korean nuclear issue.

President Lee Jae-myung is answering reporters' questions at the briefing on the results of his attendance at the G7 summit and European tour held at the Chuncheon Press Center in Cheongwadae on June 19, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

At a briefing on the results of his European and G7 tour held at the Blue House Press Hall on June 19, President Lee was asked whether President Trump had expressed any willingness or concrete plans for U.S.-North Korea dialogue. President Lee replied, "He was frustrated about the U.S.-North Korea dialogue." He continued, "President Trump is open to talks if there is a workable strategy, and he does believe that dialogue with Chairman Kim is necessary."

President Lee also revealed that President Trump asked him, in essence, "What is the solution?" In response, President Lee said, "Ultimately, it's about the North Korean nuclear issue and regime security guarantees. The current approach will not resolve the problem." He added, "Sanctions and pressure have not been effective. The international community has imposed blockades and sanctions, but the situation has persisted as it is until now—and that's what I told President Trump." President Lee has repeatedly stated that North Korea appears to already possess a certain number of nuclear weapons, continues to produce enough nuclear material annually to build about 10 to 20 nuclear weapons, and that its ICBM technology is nearing its final stage.

In particular, President Lee explained to President Trump that the effectiveness of sanctions against North Korea has sharply declined due to military cooperation between North Korea and Russia following the Russia-Ukraine war. President Lee said, "With the border with Russia now fully open, international sanctions have become meaningless. I told President Trump that it is now time to negotiate on stopping further development of nuclear materials and missiles. I emphasized that preventing further proliferation is in our interest, and President Trump largely agreed with this point."

Regarding specific solutions for inter-Korean relations, President Lee said, "Currently, everything is blocked from our side, so we are not in a position to make proposals," and added, "The United States and North Korea seem to be the only parties who can hold dialogue." President Lee further explained that he told President Trump, "It would be desirable for the United States to propose realistic measures that North Korea can accept."

President Lee said that the North Korean nuclear issue was the topic discussed at the greatest length during his conversation with President Trump. "The longest discussion we had was, in fact, on the North Korean nuclear issue," he said, noting that President Trump himself brought up the recent posting of a photo with Chairman Kim Jong Un on social media. In addition, President Lee explained to President Trump that the North Korean nuclear issue should be addressed with short-, medium-, and long-term objectives: in the short term, to halt further nuclear material production, prevent the overseas transfer of nuclear materials, and stop ICBM technology development; and, once the situation stabilizes, to move toward arms reduction and long-term denuclearization.

President Lee Jae-myung is answering reporters' questions at a briefing on the results of attending the G7 summit and the European tour held at the Blue House Chunuchu Auditorium on June 19, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, President Lee stated that the issue of defense cost sharing did not come up at all in his conversation with President Trump. "We are already contributing enough, so I see no reason to increase our share," President Lee said, adding, "Since my inauguration, the U.S. side has not mentioned this issue at all." However, he clarified that he himself brought up the matter of defense spending. President Lee said, "We have promised to increase our defense budget up to 3.5 percent, and, as a sovereign nation, I believe we must take responsibility for the defense of the Korean Peninsula on our own. I expressed in advance that we will take responsibility ourselves." Regarding the issue of wartime operational control transfer, President Lee stated, "It is so obvious that I did not bother to mention it." He further explained, "Since we are paying our own money and taking responsibility for our own defense, there is no need to discuss why the United States should retain wartime operational control."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.