Lee Jae-myung Proposes Phased Approach to North Korea's Denuclearization

President Lee Jae-myung proposed a phased approach to North Korea's denuclearization to U.S. President Donald Trump at the Group of Seven (G7) summit. President Trump responded by saying he would 'consider it thoroughly.' President Lee revealed this fact during a briefing on the results of his European tour and the G7 summit at Cheong Wa Dae on June 19.

The two leaders met during the official dinner at the G7 summit held in Évian-les-Bains, France, on June 17 (local time) and exchanged views on ways to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and the possibility of resuming North Korea-U.S. dialogue. President Lee presented specific alternatives, including a phased approach, to President Trump for resolving the North Korean issue. President Trump responded to the proposal by saying it 'could be one way' and expressed his intention to consider it.

President Lee Jae-myung held a briefing at the Chunchugwan at Cheong Wa Dae on June 19, 2026, on the results of his European tour and attendance at the G7 summit. President Lee discussed North Korea's denuclearization with U.S. President Donald Trump during the official dinner at the G7 summit held in Évian-les-Bains, France, on June 17 (local time). President Lee suggested that in a situation where North Korea demands recognition as a nuclear state, it would be more realistic not to abandon denuclearization but to approach it in phases.

President Lee emphasized that the U.S. plays a pivotal role in North Korea's regime security and, considering that South Korea is not a signatory to the Armistice Agreement, proposed that dialogue with North Korea should be led by the U.S., while South Korea would continue efforts to create favorable conditions. Mentioning that North Korea's economic growth rate recorded an all-time high last year, President Lee stressed that preventing further nuclear proliferation is in the U.S.'s interest and that sanctions have become largely ineffective. U.S. President Donald Trump largely agreed with these points and conveyed that arguments are emerging among American military experts for preparing concrete, reality-based alternatives, suggesting that these points be examined.