Trump Discussed North Korea with the President of South Korea

• Trump expressed a desire to meet with Kim Jong Un this year.
• The meeting was preceded by a number of ambiguous comments from Trump about North Korea.
• The leaders discussed cooperation in construction and trade relations.

On August 25, 2025, Donald Trump will meet with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at the White House. The main topic of discussion will be North Korea, during which Trump expressed a desire to meet with Kim Jong Un "this year."

Trump noted that he has good relations with Kim and even considers their relations better than with anyone else, except for Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong. "I hope to see him again soon," Trump said.

Lee praised Trump for his diplomatic skills and expressed hope for expanded cooperation in construction and other industrial sectors. Trump also emphasized the need for serious negotiations regarding trade relations between the USA and North Korea.

Trump expressed a desire for the USA to control the land where American military bases are located in South Korea and suggested that allies should pay more than the current arrangement of 28,500 American troops.

Before the meeting, Trump made an ambiguous statement on social media, comparing events in North Korea to "cleansing" or "revolution." He did not clarify what he meant, but referenced raids on churches conducted by the new government of North Korea.

These raids involved the United Church, which is under investigation for allegations of abuse in the congregation in Seoul. Earlier this year, a Japanese court upheld a decision to recognize the official status of the United Church.

Tags: USA/Politics