President Lee Jae-myung shared a broad range of messages covering diplomacy, North Korea, domestic affairs, and K-Culture in an exclusive interview with TIME magazine, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at his first summit with President Donald Trump and outlining his broader vision for South Korea's future.

On September 3, President Lee sat down for a one-on-one interview at his office in Yongsan, Seoul. The interview is slated to be featured as a TIME cover story.

TIME praised President Lee’s diplomatic approach in his first summit with President Trump, noting his use of gifts and humor. Lee presented Trump with a 'MAGA' cap, a model boat, and a customized golf putter, but deliberately refrained from suggesting a golf round, quipping, "I know President Trump is an excellent golfer—if we played together, I might end up losing even more," drawing laughter.

The summit included its share of awkward moments as well. When President Trump joked about taking over South Korean land hosting U.S. military bases, President Lee replied, "I believe it was a joke," and then clarified, "The U.S. already uses the bases and land at no cost, but if ownership were transferred, the U.S. would have to pay property taxes—there can be no exceptions."

TIME noted the stark contrast in the two leaders' backgrounds and political inclinations. President Lee, however, found common ground, saying, "We both didn’t live as part of the mainstream and share strong drive and ambition for achievement," expressing hopes for personal rapport.

He described President Trump as result-oriented and pragmatic, emphasizing his belief that Trump would not make "irrational decisions" because "he would never choose to remain a loser."

Discussing foreign policy, President Lee addressed the complexities of Korea-U.S.-China relations, stating, "Korea shares values like democracy and market economy with the United States, but we're geographically, historically, and economically linked to China as well—we cannot simply sever those ties." He stressed the need for sensible management of this relationship and called for understanding from the West.

He also acknowledged that the old formula of "security with the U.S., economy with China" is no longer sufficient, adding, "We require a strategic approach tailored to the new paradigm of our era."

On North Korea, President Lee pointed out the limitations of relying solely on tough sanctions. "If pressure continues as it does now, North Korea will simply build more nuclear weapons. We can negotiate a halt in their nuclear and missile programs in exchange for phased incentives," he explained. He outlined a step-by-step roadmap—short-term suspension of nuclear and missile activities, medium-term arms reduction, and long-term complete denuclearization.

The interview also touched upon the post-Russia-Ukraine war climate, as North Korea is reportedly supplying arms and manpower to Russia for tangible gains, raising doubts about the effectiveness of further external pressure.

Turning to domestic issues, President Lee addressed the recent controversial pardons, which critics argue run counter to his pledge of national unity. The pardons included ex-Justice Minister Cho Kuk, convicted on charges related to his child's university admissions and abuse of power, and former lawmaker Youn Mee-hyang, found guilty of misusing funds intended for comfort women survivors.

He acknowledged the controversy, stating, "Every situation has two sides. It was an unavoidable choice." He added, "In a climate of extreme political polarization, even my breathing can draw criticism. Changing that culture is part of my responsibility."

President Lee also spoke of his vision for advancing Korea’s cultural industries, anchoring this in Korea’s long-standing cultural vibrancy. He referenced East Asian historical writings describing Koreans as "a people who love singing and dancing, so much so that it causes a ruckus," underscoring an enduring cultural dynamism. He further noted that Korea’s religious diversity and lack of a single dominant faith foster a spirit of openness and coexistence, which in turn propels K-Culture.

He concluded by expressing confidence that "K-Culture will continue to amaze the world," as Korean content such as 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' and 'Squid Game' recently soared to the top of global viewership charts on Netflix, solidifying Korea’s status as a global cultural powerhouse.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=TIME screenshot