During a press conference in Seoul on 19/6, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung revealed he conversed for over 90 minutes with US President Donald Trump at a G7 summit dinner in France on 16/6. The primary topic of discussion was North Korea's nuclear issue and its future approach. President Lee stated, "President Trump said it is time to focus on this issue again."

This development comes as the US and Iran recently reached a preliminary agreement to end conflict and move towards negotiations for a long-term nuclear deal. President Trump emphasized it was regrettable feasible measures were not implemented before North Korea actually possessed nuclear weapons.

The South Korean president added he also told his US counterpart that North Korea's nuclear issue "should not be resolved in the same way as other nations."

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul on 19/6. *Yonhap*

When Trump asked about specific steps, Lee explained that "most of South Korea's communication channels with North Korea are severed, limiting dialogue." The South Korean president also told Trump that the US appears to be the only party capable of engaging in dialogue with North Korea at this time.

Lee suggested to President Trump that the US should present realistic proposals North Korea can accept. He also advocated considering the perspectives of US military and security experts who support a more pragmatic approach. According to the South Korean president, he further explained that a phased approach, including short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals, would be more realistic, given North Korea's advanced nuclear capabilities.

The South Korean president had previously urged Trump to take a leading role in efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean issue, and the US leader responded that he would endeavor to address the matter.

During his first term, Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong-un three times to discuss denuclearization of the peninsula. However, the diplomatic process collapsed when the two sides failed to reach an agreement on dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear program and easing sanctions.

Since taking office in 6/2025, President Lee has sought to resume dialogue with North Korea, following a period of strained relations under his predecessor Yoon Suk-yeol.

Trump has not yet commented on this information.

By Ngoc Anh (According to Korea Times, Yonhap, Xinhua)