SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung expressed his willingness to help facilitate dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington in an interview with CNN conducted on Wednesday and released the following day.
"I hope that (U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un) will be able to engage in dialogue," he said. "I also believe that [Trump] wants to achieve world peace, and that is why I have made the recommendation for him to take on the role of a peacemaker."
When asked about a possible meeting during Trump's visit to South Korea next week to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, he said it would be a "good thing" if they could "get together."
Regarding trade negotiations that are still dragging on despite last July's deal between the two countries to lower reciprocal tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent in return for Seoul's massive investment in the U.S., Lee admitted there are "differences in opinion" but remained optimistic, saying that "eventually we will get there because the United States is the leading country when it comes to the values of democracy and the free market system."
He added, "I believe that we will, in the end, be able to reach a rational result that can be acceptable."
Addressing China's "ambitions and growing capabilities in high-tech industries," which have nearly caught up with or overtaken South Korea's, Lee said there still remain "many areas where South Korean firms can win," particularly in sectors like semiconductors and automobiles.
He highlighted that South Korea is willing to share its expertise with its closest ally, as the bilateral relationship encompasses "economic, technological, and military cooperation."
"In the past we have received a lot of assistance from the United States, and so we are willing to provide assistance for..... efforts to revamp its manufacturing industry to the extent possible," he said.
"I hope that (U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un) will be able to engage in dialogue," he said. "I also believe that [Trump] wants to achieve world peace, and that is why I have made the recommendation for him to take on the role of a peacemaker."
When asked about a possible meeting during Trump's visit to South Korea next week to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, he said it would be a "good thing" if they could "get together."
Regarding trade negotiations that are still dragging on despite last July's deal between the two countries to lower reciprocal tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent in return for Seoul's massive investment in the U.S., Lee admitted there are "differences in opinion" but remained optimistic, saying that "eventually we will get there because the United States is the leading country when it comes to the values of democracy and the free market system."
He added, "I believe that we will, in the end, be able to reach a rational result that can be acceptable."
Addressing China's "ambitions and growing capabilities in high-tech industries," which have nearly caught up with or overtaken South Korea's, Lee said there still remain "many areas where South Korean firms can win," particularly in sectors like semiconductors and automobiles.
He highlighted that South Korea is willing to share its expertise with its closest ally, as the bilateral relationship encompasses "economic, technological, and military cooperation."
"In the past we have received a lot of assistance from the United States, and so we are willing to provide assistance for..... efforts to revamp its manufacturing industry to the extent possible," he said.
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