During a brief interaction at the G7 Summit in France, South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump to take a proactive stance in reigniting discussions with North Korea concerning its nuclear program. This exchange occurred amid the gathering where South Korea was present as a guest nation. President Lee urged Trump to leverage his diplomatic style, reminiscent of previous direct engagements with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The request was made during a group photo session at the summit.
The appeal from South Korea comes at a time when there is heightened focus on North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile capabilities. These developments have coincided with North Korea’s increasingly close relations with Moscow. Despite the high-profile meetings between Trump and Kim during Trump’s first term, there was no enduring agreement reached on the denuclearization of North Korea. The lack of a lasting deal has kept the issue unresolved on the global diplomatic stage.
Recent actions, including Trump’s public remarks about his prior meetings with Kim, have been interpreted by some officials in South Korea as a possible indication of his renewed interest in reopening dialogue. In response, Seoul has remained committed to advocating for negotiations, while also enhancing defense collaborations with allies to address regional security challenges.
Alongside his appeal to Trump, President Lee also engaged in talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the G7 Summit. Their discussions focused on defense cooperation and broader security partnerships, highlighting South Korea’s active diplomatic engagement at the summit. This reflects South Korea’s strategic efforts to build and strengthen alliances amid the evolving geopolitical landscape.