Overview
- President Lee Jae Myung completed a 10‑day Europe tour and told reporters he held an about 90‑minute dinner conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump that produced “significant progress” on Korean Peninsula issues.
- Lee said Trump told him it was “time to pay attention” to North Korea and that Lee’s proposal to stop further production of nuclear materials and missiles in staged steps “could be one way” and would be considered.
- Lee warned that sanctions and pressure have become less effective because of growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, and he urged Washington to take a leading role in renewed dialogue.
- On the trip Lee secured concrete Europe ties, including launching talks on an EU‑South Korea information security pact and elevating relations with Italy to a special strategic partnership, while raising concerns over new EU steel tariff quotas.
- If Washington moves to test a phased freeze, it could reopen U.S.‑North Korea engagement and reshape alliance planning, trade and defense cooperation with Seoul as negotiators work out practical verification and sequencing.