Lee Jae Myung and Trump: Diplomatic Charm in the Oval Office

Hours before South Korean president Lee Jae Myung was due to meet US president Donald Trump, a Truth Social post dropped: WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Trump wrote, pointing to a Purge or Revolution. This was a reference to Mr Lee's attempts to stabilize South Korea after last year's martial law crisis. However, Lee turned on the charm, successfully avoiding public disagreements over contentious trade and defense issues.

The two leaders found common ground on North Korea, where Trump frequently mentioned Kim Jong Un. Lee's first move was commendable; he praised Trump's unique rapport with the North Korean leader, insisting the president could be a peacemaker on the Korean peninsula. Lee even jokingly suggested building a Trump Tower in North Korea.

This approach sought to ensure Lee left the Oval Office on good terms, successfully avoiding the confrontation experienced by Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. With North Korea being a significant concern for both nations, Lee's flattery appeared to ease tensions and foster diplomacy, even if deeper issues remained unaddressed.

Beyond their amiable exchanges, the primary goal of the meeting was to discuss the U.S.-Korea trade deal and the role of American troops in South Korea, contentious topics both leaders chose to sidestep. Lee's government is eager to navigate post-regional tensions while balancing the urgent need for defense funding. With Trump commenting on the economic interdependence of the U.S. and South Korea, it remains to be seen how lasting this diplomatic charm will be.