ED Measurable summit success

President Lee Jae Myung visits U.S. President Donald Trump at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., Monday (local time). Reuters-Yonhap

In his diplomatic superweek, President Lee Jae Myung has demonstrated that his formidability on the domestic political stage extends beyond Korea's borders. Lee's summit talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House Oval Office produced no major contentions nor “ambush” attacks. Lee stayed on message, praising Trump's role as "peacemaker" and saying he himself could serve as a "pacemaker" in matters involving the two Koreas. Trump said that he was open to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un within the year.

Despite some last-minute drama before the summit, the mood between the two leaders settled quickly, and they discussed defense spending as well as close cooperation through sectors such as shipbuilding and nuclear power to renew U.S. manufacturing. Lee said Korea wants to contribute to the U.S. manufacturing renaissance. Korea's top conglomerates supported Lee's summit by pledging a separate, additional $150 billion in investments in the U.S. on the day of the summit. In its July tariff agreement with the U.S., a 15 percent blanket tariff was imposed on Korea, lower than the threatened 25 percent, and Korea pledged to invest $350 billion in the U.S. and buy $100 billion worth of energy products from the United States.

Contrary to fears that the U.S. would push for further opening of Korea's sensitive agricultural market, the issue was not raised at the summit. Instead, the two leaders successfully managed to build chemistry during an engaging Oval Office sit-down. The reality is that this was most likely a good start to further negotiations and discussions with the United States on defense costs, alliance modernization and tariff negotiations. Korea still must tackle sectoral tariffs that Trump has threatened to impose globally.

Just before the summit, when Trump posted on social media that there was a "Purge or Revolution" going on in Korea, the forecast was gray at best. Trump upped the tension when he mentioned the idea of taking ownership of the land housing U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) facilities, which for now looks to be Trump's tactic to have Seoul contribute more to hosting U.S. forces or to accept "strategic flexibility," on which Seoul remains hesitant.

But Lee successfully played by the book by praising Trump's peace efforts while staying patient in the face of any abrupt comments or demands.

The two leaders did not issue a joint statement afterward, but Lee described the his meeting with Trump as "serious but collaborative, with encouragement and mutual understanding." But in his later speech made at the Center for Strategic International Studies, Lee said that he and Trump agreed to discuss the "modernization" of the Korea-U.S. alliance to be in line with changes in the security environment. Lee added that Korea will expand defense costs but did not specify by how much. The president also added that Korea will carry out a more central role in maintaining security on the peninsula.

Since alliance modernization encompasses sensitive topics — including the possibility of USFK deployment to possible contingency areas around Asia, South Korea taking a more central role in security vis-a-vis North Korea, an increase in its defense budget and South Korea taking on wartime operational control — the president needs to clarify what was agreed upon with the U.S.

The administration should not sigh with relief that some sensitive issues were left off the table, and instead be prepared for further discussions and negotiations expected with the United States.

Getting started is only half the battle. In the new geopolitical and economic reality, the Lee-Trump summit may signify only the start of a new era in bilateral relations. But the essence and core of Seoul Washington relations must rest on respect for the 72 years of alliance and remain mutually beneficial to both.