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| South Korean President Moon Jae-in, center, poses with U.S. President Donald Trump, second from right, in their first meeting at the White House, Washington, D.C., Thursday, along with South Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook, second from left, and U.S. first lady Melania Trump. / Yonhap |
Trump hints at renegotiating free trade deal
By Kim Rahn
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump had "frank and serious" discussions on North Korea, a free trade deal and other issues in their first meeting over dinner at the White House, Friday, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
After the meeting, Trump wrote on Twitter that he discussed with Moon a "new trade deal," indicating the U.S. request for a renegotiation of the countries' bilateral free trade agreement.
Yoon Young-chan, Moon's top press officer, refused to elaborate on this, only saying, "The leaders agreed to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and ensure economic prosperity for both nations based on their strong alliance."
It was the first time that Trump has invited a foreign head of state and the spouse to dinner at the White House since his inauguration in January, Cheong Wa Dae said. First lady Kim Jung-sook and U.S. first lady Melania Trump were also present.
When the two leaders first met before dinner, they shook hands, although Trump did not show his usual powerful grip. They instead tapped each other's shoulder and arm lightly in a friendly manner.
"The U.S. prioritizes the North Korea issue in diplomacy, so I, as a Korean citizen, have hope (for addressing the issue)," Moon said. "If President Trump helps resolve the issue, it will be a great achievement which no former U.S. president could make and Trump himself will be a great president."
He also expressed gratitude to Trump for making a congratulatory phone call to him immediately after his election victory in May and inviting him to Washington.
"Among countries that have been liberated since World War II, Korea is the only one that has achieved both economic growth and democratization. It is the U.S. that planted democracy and capitalism into Korea. Korea's success will be a reward to the U.S.," he said.
In response, Trump said, "I know you've been discussing with our people some of the complexities of North Korea and trade and other things, and we'll be discussing them all as we progress, and it could be very well late into the evening. We very much respect you and we very much respect the people of South Korea."
The main dish of the dinner was "bibimbap" (rice mixed with vegetables), a traditional Korean dish that signifies harmony. Bibimbap is often served by Korean presidents to foreign leaders on their visits to Korea.
After the dinner, Trump suggested Moon and Kim look around the Treaty Room and Lincoln Bedroom, which are a part of the first family's private spaces in the White House. He ushered them into the places, suggesting Moon sit at Lincoln's desk and take a photo there.
Besides the first couple, South Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong, presidential chief of staff for policy Chang Ha-sung, chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan, presidential special adviser on economic affairs Kim Hyun-chul and Korean Ambassador to Washington Ahn Ho-young participated in the dinner.
The attendees from the U.S. side included the first couple, Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Louis Ross, presidential chief of staff Reince Priebus, National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn and Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategy Dina Powell.
It was also the first time in six years for the heads of the two countries to have a dinner at the White House since the last one between former President Lee Myung-bak and former U.S. President Barack Obama, Oct. 14, 2011.
