South Korea's Lee asks Trump to lead peaceful diplomacy with North Korea

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has asked former US President Donald Trump to spearhead efforts for a peaceful resolution of tensions with North Korea. The appeal was made during a brief encounter at the Group of Seven (G-7) summit on June 16, according to Lee's office.

Presidential office spokeswoman Kang Yu-jung stated that the two leaders greeted each other during a G-7 group photo session. During their conversation, Trump inquired about the current state of relations with North Korea. Lee then requested Trump's leadership in pursuing a peaceful resolution, drawing a parallel to his past role in managing the war in the Middle East.

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lead efforts to resolve the North Korea issue peacefully, as he had done with the war in the Middle East

Trump responded affirmatively, indicating his intention to work on the North Korea issue. This exchange harks back to Trump's previous engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The two leaders held three meetings during Trump's first term, including a significant summit in Singapore in 2018, followed by meetings in Hanoi and the demilitarized zone. However, diplomacy faltered after the Hanoi summit failed to yield an agreement on denuclearization and sanctions relief.

Trump has consistently shown interest in resuming direct dialogue with Kim. He has previously expressed anticipation for meeting the North Korean leader again and recently shared a photo of himself with Kim on his Truth Social platform, seemingly recalling their past diplomatic interactions.

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he would work to address the North Korea issue