Lee says Trump believes time has come to refocus on North Korea

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a briefing on the outcome of his 10-day diplomatic tour of Europe at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump believes the time has come to pay attention again to North Korea issue, as he recounted his conversation with Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier this week.

Lee also said he told Trump that the North Korea's nuclear issue should not be approached in the same way that other countries' issues have been dealt with. He reiterated his earlier opinion that the U.S. is the only party capable of resuming dialogue with North Korea.

"The topic we discussed at greatest length was the North Korea's nuclear issue and how it should be approached going forward … President Trump said it is time to pay attention to such issue once again,” Lee said during a briefing on the outcome of his 10-day diplomatic tour of Europe through Thursday.

The trip included participation in the G7 summit in France from Monday to Wednesday.

Lee was seated next to Trump at the summit dinner on Tuesday, where the two leaders engaged in a conversation for more than 90 minutes on matters of mutual interest, reinforcing friendly ties, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

The conversation came after Lee, in a separate welcoming event, had asked Trump to take the lead in peacefully resolving the North Korea issue, just as he had helped bring the U.S.-Iran conflict to an end.

“President Trump emphasized that it was regrettable that possible measures had not been taken before North Korea effectively acquired nuclear weapons,” Lee said, referring to Pyongyang's advancement in its nuclear program and the limited effectiveness of international denuclearization efforts.

He said he told Trump that the North Korea's nuclear issue "should not be approached in the same way that other countries have been dealt with," adding, "I made that point clearly.”

Asked by Trump for his views on what specific steps should be taken, Lee explained that "virtually all of South Korea's channels of communication with North Korea are currently cut off, leaving little room for engagement.”

He went on to explain that he had told the U.S. president that "the U.S. at this point appears to be the only party capable of engaging North Korea in dialogue."

"I suggested to President Trump that Washington come up with realistic proposals that North Korea could accept, and take into account the views of U.S. military and security experts who advocate a more pragmatic approach," Lee said.

Lee said he advocated a phased denuclearization road map, under which the international community would first seek to freeze North Korea's nuclear activities before pursuing reductions and eventual denuclearization as trust builds and security concerns ease.

"I explained to President Trump that such a phased approach consisting of short-, medium- and long-term objectives would be more realistic given Pyongyang's advanced nuclear capabilities.”

Lee's diplomatic tour also took him to Belgium, Italy and the Vatican, where he asked Pope Leo to visit North Korea.

“I asked the Pope to visit South Korea on the occasion of the 2027 World Youth Day, which will be held in Seoul next year, and also requested that, if possible, he pursue a visit to North Korea, including a trip to the Demilitarized Zone," Lee said.