South Korean President Lee Jae-myung: Will Discuss Security, Defense Budget, and Tariffs with Trump

On the 24th local time, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung told reporters on a special flight from Japan to Washington, D.C., that during this visit, he would negotiate with U.S. President Trump on issues such as security, defense budget, and tariffs.

Lee Jae-myung concluded his visit to Japan that day and held a discussion with accompanying reporters on the special flight from Japan to the United States. Regarding the topics for the South Korea-U.S. leaders' meeting scheduled for the 25th local time, Lee Jae-myung stated that he did not want to set limits on the topics, "hoping to discuss everything necessary," but "topics that suddenly emerge in summit meetings are rare; main topics are usually negotiated in detail beforehand." The main topics of this meeting would cover "security, defense budget, tariff issues, etc."

Lee Jae-myung mentioned that the U.S. side had indeed raised demands regarding the flexibility of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, but "this is an issue we find difficult to agree to," while the South Korean side "also needs to discuss issues such as the future strategization of U.S. troops in South Korea." Lee Jae-myung pointed out that the positions of South Korea and the United States on U.S. troops in South Korea differ slightly, but both sides would make adjustments based on a consultative tone.

Lee Jae-myung emphasized that in terms of diplomacy, as countries increasingly prioritize "their own national interests," it is necessary to "put in several times more effort than in the past to safeguard our national interests." He stated that he would "prepare in advance and do his utmost."