Lee’s workplace stated the 2 leaders additionally mentioned the assassination makes an attempt they each skilled final 12 months in addition to their enthusiasm for golf.
Lee underwent surgical procedure after he was stabbed within the neck by a person in January final 12 months, whereas Trump was wounded within the ear by a bullet fired by a would-be murderer in July.
South Korea, a significant US ally and one of many first international locations after Japan to interact with Washington on commerce talks, agreed in late April to craft a “July package deal” scrapping levies earlier than the 90-day pause on Trump’s reciprocal tariffs is lifted, however progress was disrupted by the change of governments in Seoul.
Lee stated on the eve of the elections that “essentially the most urgent matter is commerce negotiations with america.” Lee’s camp has stated, nonetheless, that they intend to hunt extra time to barter on commerce with Trump.
Whereas reiterating the significance of the US-South Korea alliance, Lee has additionally expressed extra conciliatory plans for ties with China and North Korea, singling out the significance of China as a significant buying and selling accomplice whereas indicating a reluctance to take a agency stance on safety tensions within the Taiwan Strait.
Political analysts say that whereas Trump and Lee might share a need to attempt to re-engage with North Korea, Lee’s stance on China might trigger friction with the US.
A White Home official stated this week that South Korea’s election was honest, however expressed concern about Chinese language interference in what analysts stated might have been a cautionary message to Lee.
Talking in Singapore final week, US Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth stated many international locations have been tempted by the thought of looking for financial cooperation with China and protection cooperation with america, and warned that such entanglement difficult protection cooperation.
