In a recent press conference held in Seoul on June 19, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung disclosed that he had a lengthy discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding North Korea's nuclear program. The conversation took place during a dinner on June 16 at the G7 summit in France, lasting more than 90 minutes.

President Lee stated, "The most thoroughly discussed topic was North Korea's nuclear issue and how to approach this matter in the future." He noted that Trump expressed regret that feasible measures had not been implemented before North Korea achieved its nuclear capabilities.

This revelation comes amid a preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Iran aimed at resolving conflicts and moving toward a long-term nuclear deal. President Lee also mentioned that he advised Trump that North Korea's nuclear issue should not be addressed in the same manner as other countries.

When Trump inquired about specific steps to take, Lee explained that most communication channels between South Korea and North Korea are currently severed, making dialogue very limited. He pointed out that the U.S. appears to be the only party capable of engaging in discussions with North Korea at this time.

Lee proposed that the U.S. should present practical suggestions that North Korea could accept, while also considering the views of U.S. military and security experts who advocate for a more pragmatic approach. He emphasized that a phased approach, including short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals, would be more realistic given North Korea's advanced nuclear capabilities.

Although Trump has not publicly commented on these discussions, President Lee previously suggested that Trump take a leading role in efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean issue. Trump had met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un three times during his first term to discuss denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. However, diplomatic progress faltered when no agreement was reached regarding the dismantling of North Korea's nuclear program and the easing of sanctions.

Since taking office in June 2025, President Lee has sought to restore dialogue with North Korea, following a period of heightened tensions under his predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol.