US President Donald Trump pledged to help “straighten out” tensions between North and South Korea as he began the final leg of his Asia tour in South Korea on Wednesday. His visit came amid renewed regional tensions after North Korea test-fired a nuclear-capable cruise missile just hours before his arrival.
Trump was received by President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju, where the two leaders discussed strengthening defense ties, finalizing a bilateral trade agreement, and addressing security challenges on the Korean Peninsula. While Trump reaffirmed his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, he said scheduling constraints made it impossible during this trip.
The US president expressed optimism about ongoing trade negotiations with both South Korea and China. He noted that Washington may reduce tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing’s commitment to curb exports of fentanyl precursor chemicals. Trump also confirmed that discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping would take place in Busan on Thursday, focusing on trade, technology, and regional security.
During his meeting with President Lee, Trump was presented with South Korea’s highest civilian honor, the Grand Order of Mugunghwa. Lee pledged increased defense spending and reiterated his request for US approval to reprocess nuclear fuel for submarine power. Trump, in turn, promised continued US support for regional peace and stability.
The visit marks Trump’s final stop in a fast-paced Asian tour that included trade talks in Japan and Malaysia. The trip has been seen as part of Washington’s broader effort to balance security commitments with economic diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region.
