US President Donald Trump is now seeking to focus on resolving “the North Korean issue” following the agreement reached with Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said after the two leaders met in France.
“President Trump said it is time to pay attention to the North Korean issue,” Lee told reporters in Seoul, revealing details of his discussion with the US president on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Evian.
Lee said he had urged Trump to take the lead in pursuing a peaceful resolution of tensions with North Korea, similar to his involvement in efforts to end the Middle East conflict.
At the same time, the South Korean president expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of existing policies. “I told him that sanctions and pressure are ineffective,” Lee added.
According to officials in Seoul, Trump responded by expressing his intention to work towards addressing the North Korean issue, signalling a potential shift in US foreign policy priorities following developments in the Middle East.
The exchange between the two leaders took place briefly during a group photo session at the G7 summit, where they discussed inter‑Korean relations and the broader situation on the Korean Peninsula.
