South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to spearhead efforts to renew discussions with North Korea concerning its nuclear program. This appeal was made during a brief interaction at the G7 Summit in France, where South Korea attended as a guest nation. President Lee encouraged Trump to revisit his previous diplomatic strategies, recalling the direct negotiations that took place between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The request from Seoul comes amidst growing concerns over North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile capabilities, which have intensified over recent years, alongside closer relations between Pyongyang and Moscow. Despite the high-profile summits between Trump and Kim during Trump’s first term, these meetings did not result in a comprehensive denuclearization agreement. The South Korean presidential office highlighted this exchange as part of a group photo session at the summit.

Recent statements by Trump, in which he alluded to his past meetings with Kim, have sparked speculation among South Korean officials about a possible renewed interest in dialogue. In response, South Korea has maintained its push for diplomatic engagement while simultaneously bolstering defense ties with its allies due to ongoing regional security challenges.

In addition to his appeal to Trump, President Lee also held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. Their discussions focused on enhancing defense cooperation and exploring broader security partnerships, underscoring South Korea’s proactive diplomatic efforts during the international gathering.