Lee Jae-myung Signals U.S. Lead on North Korea Dialog, Cites Shift in Pyongyang‘s Stance
WASHINGTON, D.C. – South Korean President Lee jae-myung indicated August 25th that the United States should take the lead in denuclearization talks with North Korea, noting a perceived lessening of opposition from Pyongyang toward washington. “It doesn’t matter who led [the dialogue],” Lee said, adding, “North Korea has a less opposing attitude toward the United States.It may be good to leave it to the United States on this issue.” The statement came during a conversation with diplomatic and security staff aboard Air Force One en route to a U.S.-Korea summit in Washington, D.C., following a stop in Tokyo.
This shift in perspective comes as the U.S. and South Korea seek to navigate complex geopolitical challenges in the region, including ongoing concerns about North Korea’s nuclear program and evolving relationships with China. A successful dialogue hinges on building trust and finding common ground,and Lee’s comments suggest a belief that the U.S. currently holds a more favorable position to facilitate those discussions.
sources close to the summit assessed the meetings as largely positive, giving them an “85 points (out of 100)” rating. Discussions regarding a potential nuclear agreement were held between leaders and described as yielding “meaningful progress,” though details remain undisclosed. The U.S. side reportedly sought a complete document outlining details of Korean investment.Despite a generally positive atmosphere, tensions surfaced regarding former President Trump’s recent criticisms of a special investigation in South Korea, wich he characterized with strong language on social media. Officials dismissed the remarks as not reflective of serious policy considerations. Additionally,Trump’s mention of potential ownership changes regarding U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) bases was downplayed as not under serious review.
