Lee builds strong bond with Trump at G7 summit

SEOUL, June 18 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung discussed a range of issues including North Korea with U.S. President Donald Trump during an official dinner concluding the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France on Tuesday, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

Lee, who sat next to Trump during the dinner in Évian-les-Bains, which lasted about 90 minutes, was able to engage in more intimate talks with him.

Lee expressed hope that Trump would play a constructive role and take an active part as a "peacemaker" in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, praising his similar efforts in the Middle East. Trump responded that he was willing to play a "necessary role."

Describing Lee as a "strong leader," Trump also pledged to look for various ways to contribute further while closely communicating with him.

The two leaders also agreed to expand cooperation in areas "mutually beneficial" such as the shipbuilding sector, and reaffirmed a strong bilateral alliance as well as the importance of trilateral cooperation with Japan.

Lee also lauded Trump's efforts to reach a peace agreement with Iran and stressed the importance of safe and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The two leaders, however, did not discuss a proposed US$300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran after more than three months of conflict.
  Meanwhile, Lee, who is on his way home after wrapping up a two-week trip to Europe, revealed that Trump had offered to play golf with him. Posting a selfie taken with Trump on X, formerly Twitter the following day, Lee added that the bilateral alliance between the two countries is "strong and everlasting."

According to Lee, Trump repeatedly suggested playing golf together and also suggested that Lee's wife join them for a round. "I thought it was just a passing comment, but I guess we should start preparing," Lee wrote.

He also revealed that Trump gave him the pen used for signing, a gesture Lee interpreted as being related to their first summit at the White House in August last year, when Lee gave Trump his own signing pen at Trump's request.

Lee expressed gratitude for Trump's thoughtfulness, highlighting the strong bond between the two leaders.

Lee is set to arrive home later Thursday, with a number of government officials and lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party (DP) expected to greet him at a military airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, a customary gesture for a returning president here.

DP leader Jung Chung-rae would be included among them this time, after he did not appear when Lee departed for Europe last Tuesday, prompting speculation in political circles about a rift between the two.

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