Trump and Kim Jong Un Summit Pitched by South Korea
Lee Jae Myung proposes high-stakes Trump-Kim meeting.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed a potential summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in 2025, contingent on Trump’s attendance at a regional forum in South Korea. The announcement, made by Lee’s office on August 25, 2025, follows a cordial meeting between Lee and Trump at the White House, where the two leaders discussed shared challenges and aspirations for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Lee’s spokesperson, Kang Yu-jung, described the Washington meeting as “pleasant,” noting that the leaders bonded over personal experiences, including surviving assassination attempts. The discussions, which lasted 140 minutes and included a luncheon, focused on security, trade, and the prospect of reengaging with North Korea, though they avoided contentious issues like U.S. demands for South Korea to open its agricultural markets.
The proposed Trump-Kim summit aims to revive diplomacy that marked Trump’s first term, during which he met Kim three times—in Singapore in 2018, Hanoi in 2019, and at the Korean Demilitarized Zone later that year. Lee emphasized the unique opportunity for Trump to act as a “peacemaker,” potentially stabilizing the Korean Peninsula, which he noted remains the world’s only divided nation. “I look forward to your meeting with Chairman Kim Jong-un and construction of a Trump Tower in North Korea,” Lee quipped, suggesting that such a summit could cement Trump’s legacy in global diplomacy.
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Lee’s proposal comes amid strained inter-Korean relations, with North Korea’s Kim Yo-jong recently dismissing Seoul as a diplomatic partner while acknowledging a “not bad” personal relationship between Trump and her brother. This opens a window for renewed dialogue, though Pyongyang’s growing ties with Russia and its rejection of denuclearization talks pose challenges. Lee stressed that Trump’s rapport with Kim could be pivotal, stating, “The only person that can make progress on this issue is you.”
The South Korean president also highlighted the importance of trilateral cooperation with Japan and the U.S., noting his recent visit to Tokyo to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This strategic alignment aims to counter regional threats, including North Korea’s expanding nuclear and missile programs, which have escalated tensions alongside its military cooperation with Russia.
On the economic front, Lee and Trump discussed strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in shipbuilding, with South Korea’s expertise seen as key to reviving the U.S. industry. A proposed “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again” initiative, part of a July trade deal, includes $150 billion in cooperation to build U.S. shipyards and supply chains. This aligns with broader agreements for South Korea to invest $350 billion in the U.S. economy, including in semiconductors and batteries, reinforcing the allies’ economic partnership.
As the prospect of a Trump-Kim summit looms, global attention is fixed on whether this high-stakes meeting could defuse tensions or reshape the geopolitical landscape. Lee’s proactive diplomacy signals South Korea’s intent to play a central role in fostering peace, leveraging its alliance with the U.S. to navigate the complex dynamics of North Korean relations.
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