South Korea’s president to discuss North Korea, flexibility for US forces with Trump

ANKARA

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Sunday that he would discuss a full range of issues on North Korea and Washington's demand for strategic flexibility for US forces stationed in his country during a high-stakes summit with President Donald Trump, local media reported.

Speaking to reporters aboard a flight from Tokyo to Washington before his meeting with Trump on Monday, Lee said he also plans to bring up other topics, including security, defense cost-sharing and tariff negotiations, Yonhap News Agency reported.

He said Washington's demand on the strategic flexibility of the 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea is difficult to agree on but noted that discussions about the future role of US Forces Korea (USFK) are necessary.

The Trump administration has sought more flexibility in their mission as part of its broader strategy to counter China.

Lee said he does not expect the US to make "unreasonable demands" in talks, vowing to make efforts to safeguard national interests.

He said he will raise all issues related to North Korea at the summit, emphasizing the need to engage in dialogue with Pyongyang at a time when it has rejected his peace overture.

Lee recently unveiled a three-stage denuclearization plan for North Korea which aims to persuade it to freeze, reduce and eventually dismantle its nuclear weapons program.

"The issue of North Korea is very important to us, so whether it is a nuclear issue or North Korean issue, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are the most important things for the security of the Republic of Korea," Lee said, referring to South Korea by its official name.