Speaking at a press conference at the Blue House on Friday, Lee said the issue was discussed in detail during a 90-minute conversation with Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. He said he encouraged Trump to apply diplomatic momentum from recent U.S. efforts in the Middle East to the Korean Peninsula.

“I sat next to President Trump for over 90 long minutes, giving us the opportunity to converse continuously,” Lee said, describing the exchange as a “deep discussion” on regional security.

Lee said he told Trump that North Korea’s nuclear issue cannot be handled in the same way as other conflicts, while acknowledging that sanctions and pressure alone have failed to alter Pyongyang’s behavior.

He added that Trump showed continued interest in engaging North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, but expressed frustration over the lack of a clear pathway for progress. Lee said Trump reflected on missed opportunities in earlier stages of North Korea’s nuclear development.

In response, Lee outlined Seoul’s proposal for a phased denuclearization framework, beginning with immediate steps such as freezing nuclear material production, halting transfers of nuclear materials, and stopping further development of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Under the proposal, full denuclearization would remain a long-term goal, to be pursued once “mutual trust” and security assurances are established between relevant parties.

Lee also said that in the absence of direct inter-Korean dialogue, the United States remains the only viable channel for negotiations with Pyongyang, given North Korea’s stance toward Washington. He suggested that previous South Korean policy approaches had contributed to reduced diplomatic engagement.

Reaffirming Seoul’s position, Lee described the United States as a central actor in any future talks, while South Korea would play a supporting role in facilitating conditions for dialogue.

On defense issues, Lee said discussions did not cover cost-sharing, but he reiterated Seoul’s commitment to increasing its defense budget and strengthening its own security capabilities. He also indicated that South Korea aims to eventually regain wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States.

Lee characterized Trump as a “peacemaker” and said South Korea seeks to act as a “pacemaker” to support renewed diplomatic engagement on the Korean Peninsula..(ILKHA)