South Korea and the United States are seeking to revive stalled dialogue with North Korea. During their first summit, President Lee Jae Myung and President Donald Trump agreed that restarting talks could help stabilize the Korean Peninsula. Their meeting fueled expectations that the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit may create fresh momentum.
President Lee acknowledged that his efforts alone cannot rebuild inter-Korean ties. He called on Trump to take the lead role in diplomacy, saying he would act as a “pacemaker” while Trump takes on the “peacemaker” role. This shift marks a sharp contrast with the previous administration, which tried to drive nuclear negotiations directly. As a result, the Korea peace talks now appear to hinge on stronger U.S. involvement.
Lee also urged Trump to attend the APEC summit in Gyeongju. He proposed using the event as a venue for dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump praised the suggestion and expressed willingness to engage. According to South Korean officials, both leaders agreed that North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile programs must be stopped and reversed.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac explained that Lee emphasized urgency in countering Pyongyang’s growing weapons capabilities. He added that both leaders shared the belief that dialogue remains the only viable method for peace. This understanding has encouraged cautious optimism about the revival of Korea peace talks.
However, skepticism remains strong. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young argued that Kim Jong-un is unlikely to attend the APEC summit. He warned that meaningful talks require common ground, which currently does not exist. Even so, he stressed that the Lee–Trump summit showed alignment on pursuing peace through negotiations.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun noted that North Korea may demand recognition as a nuclear state in any talks. He stressed that Washington will never accept such terms, ensuring further tension. This friction demonstrates the challenge of restarting the Korea peace talks despite renewed political will.
Adding to the doubts, Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong-un, rejected the idea of repeating earlier negotiations. She said Washington’s refusal to accept new realities makes denuclearization discussions impossible.
Still, the Lee–Trump summit signals a renewed push for engagement. With closer coordination between Seoul and Washington, conditions may improve for dialogue if opportunities arise. The Korea peace talks remain fragile, but momentum is building for potential progress.
