Trump: "Cooperating with South Korea, the Shipbuilding Master... U.S. Will Lead Again" [Gyeongju APEC]

"We Will Set Things Right on the Korean Peninsula"
On the Missed Meeting with Kim Jong Un: "Regrettable"
Focus Placed on Talks with President Xi Jinping

On October 29, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that by strengthening cooperation with South Korea in the shipbuilding sector, the United States would once again become a global leader in shipbuilding. He also expressed regret over the failure to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and indicated his intention to pursue a future meeting.

Yonhap News Agency

During his opening remarks at the South Korea-U.S. summit with President Lee Jaemyung held in Gyeongju that day, President Trump said, "What you have created and achieved in such a short period of time is truly remarkable," adding, "Because South Korea has become a master of shipbuilding, we are cooperating with you."

President Trump pointed out, "During World War II, the United States was the largest and number one in shipbuilding, but a series of very poor decisions and a lack of interest meant that we were no longer able to build as many ships."

He continued, "Shipbuilding is essential work, and we are working together at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and many other locations," adding, "You have come in and are building ships with us in the United States," and emphasized, "We will start building ships, and in a short time, we will rise to the top."

He also expressed his intention to contribute to easing tensions and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. President Trump said, "I know that you (the North and South) are officially in a state of war on the Korean Peninsula, and we will see what we can do to set all of that right." He added, "I will work very hard with you, your team, and many others to see if we can do something reasonable."

He reiterated his regret over the failure to meet with Kim Jong Un and his intention to pursue a future meeting. He said, "I know Kim Jong Un very well. We get along very well. We just couldn't coordinate the timing," expressing disappointment that the meeting with Kim Jong Un did not take place. Prior to this visit to South Korea, President Trump had repeatedly expressed his desire to meet with Kim Jong Un, but North Korea instead responded by launching cruise missiles the day before President Trump's arrival in South Korea.

He repeatedly emphasized that the main purpose of this visit to South Korea was the meeting scheduled for October 30 with Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Trump explained, "I look forward to meeting him, and that was really the focus of our visit."

He added, "But we will also make other visits, and we will work very hard with Kim Jong Un and everyone else to set things right."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.