On Wednesday, the White House announced that it hosted a special dinner for leaders from seven countries, including U.S. President Donald Trump, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
The dinner, presided over by President Lee Ja Myung, featured Trump as the guest of honor and included leaders from Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Thailand, and Singapore.
Held at the Hilton Hotel in Gyeongju, the dinner lasted over two hours and covered a wide range of pressing issues, including the North Korean situation, international affairs, online scams, and drug trafficking.
In his welcoming remarks, President Lee highlighted the significance of gathering with President Trump and allied nations during his state visit. He emphasized the importance of solidarity and cooperation among allies amid escalating global crises.
Lee proposed a toast wishing for the development of all participating nations, world peace, and international solidarity.
Earlier, during the U.S.-South Korea summit, President Trump received the Grand Order of Mugunghwa and a replica of the Silla gold crown. He expressed gratitude for President Yoon’s hospitality and conveyed his satisfaction with the state visit.
Trump reportedly shared his hopes for future dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the upcoming U.S.-China summit scheduled for Thursday.
Furthermore, President Trump discussed ongoing global tensions and conflicts, including the Israel-Palestine issue, Iran, and Ukraine. The leaders present commended Trump’s efforts to promote peace in the international community.
President Lee expressed concerns about transnational crime based in Southeast Asia and stressed the need for international cooperation to address these issues. The attending leaders acknowledged that while online scams are widespread in the region, a lack of border control and inter-country collaboration often hampers judicial cooperation.
President Trump also highlighted the U.S. government’s commitment and efforts to tackle drug-related issues as a prime example of transnational crime.
The leaders candidly exchanged opinions on their favorite sports and domestic and international political issues, strengthening their camaraderie. At the conclusion of the dinner, President Trump thanked President Lee for facilitating communication among the leaders of major countries.