On Wednesday, President Donald Trump met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju, demonstrating a strong commitment to dialogue with North Korea.
During his opening remarks at the U.S.-South Korea summit held at the National Gyeongju Museum that afternoon, Trump directly addressed the North Korean issue, stating that he knows Kim Jong Un very well, and they have a great relationship.
Trump explained that he couldn’t meet with Kim during this visit due to scheduling conflicts, but emphasized that he’ll find a sensible solution. It might take some time and patience, but he’s absolutely confident that the North Korean issue will be resolved.
He noted that the Korean Peninsula is still technically in a state of war, saying to explore what it can do to rectify that situation.
Trump assured President Lee that he will work diligently with Lee and the team, and many others to address this issue.
Let’s Build Ships Together… We’ll be the Best in No Time
Regarding economic cooperation with South Korea, he praised their collaboration in the shipbuilding sector. He told President Lee that he’s partnering with them in shipbuilding because Lee becomes an expert in this field. They’ll construct ships together in America and revitalize the shipbuilding industry.
Trump explained that during World War II, America was the undisputed leader in shipbuilding, but a series of poor decisions and neglect led us to build fewer ships. However, shipbuilding is crucial, and they’re collaborating with South Korea at the Philadelphia shipyard and other locations.
He predicted that if they revive the shipbuilding industry, they’ll become the best or at least among the top-tier in a very short time.
The Welcoming Ceremony was Flawless… I’ll Remember It
Trump described the state visit welcoming ceremony as very special and something he’ll remember, expressing gratitude to President Lee.
Referring to the traditional honor guard, he said that it was an impressive sight to see these formidable-looking individuals carrying powerful weapons when he arrived in the limousine. It was a beautiful and perfectly executed scene. Speaking for his delegation, they’ve never witnessed anything like it.
Trump compared the North Korean issue to a cloud hanging over President Lee, stating to see if they can resolve this. If they can accomplish this together, Lee will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents, hinting at the potential for a significant political legacy through resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.
Regarding his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, he remarked that this is a crucial event for the world and for all of them, adding that it’s the main focus of this visit and he expect it to go very well.
He continued by saying that while the meeting with President Xi is the primary focus, they’ll also have other engagements and work tirelessly to address issues with Kim Jong Un and others, as that’s the sensible approach.
During the meeting, Trump received South Korea’s highest honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, from President Lee, along with a replica of the golden crown from the Cheonmachong tomb.