Korea reviewing invitation to Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters after arriving at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., Jan. 19. AP-Yonhap

Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday it has received an invitation related to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” but is still reviewing whether to participate, as the initiative faces early resistance from several U.S. allies.

“We can confirm that we have received an invitation from the U.S. side,” a ministry official said. “This proposal was made only recently, and it is not something that can be decided within a day or two. We need time to review it.”

The official said Seoul is examining the nature and structure of the proposed body and monitoring how other countries respond, noting reports that more than 60 nations were invited.

“Not all invited countries are expected to take part,” the official said. “We need to look at the situation comprehensively.”

The proposal has already drawn pushback in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron declined an invitation to join the panel, which was also extended to leaders such as Belarus’ longtime autocratic leader Alexander Lukashenko. Trump responded by threatening a 200 percent tariff on French champagne.

According to people familiar with the matter, Trump wants the board’s charter signed this week on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Draft provisions have unnerved potential members, including a reported requirement that countries pay $1 billion for permanent membership.