Lee Jae-myung asks Trump to lead a peaceful resolution to North Korea issue; Trump says, "I will try" [Lee attends G7 Summit]

[Financial News, Evian-les-Bains, France = Choi Jong-geun] President Lee Jae-myung met repeatedly with U.S. President Donald Trump on the 16th (local time) at the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, and continued discussions on key issues. Lee first greeted Trump at the guest-nation welcome ceremony. Later, after a photo session marking their attendance at a concert, Lee was seen personally introducing First Lady Kim Hye-kyung to Trump as he headed to the dinner venue. At the official dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron after the concert, the two sat side by side and continued talking. Although it was not an official bilateral meeting, the South Korean and U.S. leaders were seen holding natural conversations throughout the G7 stage.
In a written briefing released that day, Kang Yoo-jung, Senior Presidential Spokesperson, said, "President Lee met and greeted U.S. President Donald Trump during the group photo session at the G7 Summit." She added, "Trump asked President Lee about the latest developments in inter-Korean relations, and President Lee asked him to lead a peaceful resolution to the North Korea issue, just as he resolved the war in the Middle East." Kang explained that "Trump responded by saying he would work toward resolving the North Korea issue."
Before the group photo, Lee faced Trump and spoke with him for about 30 seconds. When Trump spoke to him, Lee was also seen nodding in response.
At their first summit in August last year, Lee had also proposed a meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying, "If President Trump becomes the peacemaker, I will be the pace-maker."
Trump's positive response to Lee's proposal on this day is seen as reflecting the fact that both leaders share the goal of improving inter-Korean relations. Trump needs diplomatic achievements, including the resumption of talks with North Korea, ahead of the midterm elections in November. During his European trip, Lee has continued diplomatic efforts to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula, including meetings with Pope Leo XIV and others.
Meanwhile, President Lee and his wife attended a concert and an official dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron that evening. The event was a welcome reception attended by leaders and spouses from G7 member states and invited countries, as well as heads of international organizations. It was arranged separately from the summit plenary session so that leaders could interact in a more relaxed atmosphere.
After finishing the commemorative photo session for the concert, Lee was heading to the dinner venue when he approached Trump, who was greeting leaders from other countries, and introduced his wife as "My wife." Kim also greeted Trump in English, and Trump warmly shook hands with her in return. Although the meeting was brief, it expanded naturally as the two leaders moved between the protocol event and the dinner venue, even including introductions of their spouses.
At the dinner hosted by Macron and Brigitte Macron, Lee sat immediately next to Trump and exchanged a number of conversations. Observers also suggested that they may have discussed a broad range of issues, including the situation in the Middle East and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
cjk@fnnews.com Reporter