Trump hosts South Korean president, proposes meeting with Kim Jong Un

President Donald Trump hosted the newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at the White House on Monday. The pair used translators to exchange comments in front of media members before a closed-door meeting. The meeting came hours after Trump released a statement referencing possible unrest in South Korea, adding that the United States couldn’t do business if that were the case. Trump downplayed his earlier statement while meeting with Lee, saying he figured the reports he heard were misinterpreted.

What were the pair expected to discuss? The pair planned to discuss a number of serious topics, including trade, Trump said. Korea wants to be part of the renaissance happening in the manufacturing industry, specifically regarding shipbuilding, Lee said. After complimenting Trump’s redecoration of the Oval Office, Lee praised what he characterized as the president’s recent role as an international peacemaker. Many wars in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are ending because of American intervention, leaving Korea as the only nation left divided, Lee said.

The South Korean president asked Trump to step in and help establish peace in the Korean Peninsula. Lee suggested that a Trump Tower be erected in North Korea so the pair could play golf with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Trump described having a good relationship with Kim. Trump added that Kim would like to meet with him and said they planned to hold talks to improve relations. The White House did not release any further details on when a meeting with Kim could happen.

Dig deeper: Read Joyce Wu’s report on South Korea’s desire to improve relations with North Korea.