South Korea's Lee praises Trump, tightens relations

3/12/2025 16:30

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that he had found it "interesting and entertaining" speaking with Donald Trump during recent meetings and remained hopeful that the U.S. leader could persuade North Korea to resume dialogue.



Since Lee took office in June, he has had two summits with Trump and finalised a trade deal that includes a $350 billion U.S. investment package after months of negotiations.



Lee has launched charm offensives in a bid to manage the high-stakes relationship with Seoul's main ally, praising Trump for his "peacemaker" role on North Korea and presenting him with a replica of a gold crown on a trip to South Korea.



Lee called Trump "a realist, pragmatist, and master of dealmaking who respects his counterparts".



The South Korean president remained hopeful Trump could entice North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un to resume dialogue, saying Pyongyang appeared to take Washington more seriously than Seoul to sustain its regime.