Diplomacy

President Yoon calls to congratulate U.S. President-elect Trump

Both sides agreed to meet in the near future

By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

 

President Yoon Suk-yeol spoke with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump by phone on Nov. 7 and congratulated him on his election, the presidential office said.

 

“The phone call between President-elect Trump and President Yoon lasted about 12 minutes from 7:59 a.m.,” Kim Tae-hyo, first deputy chief of the National Security Office, told reporters at the presidential office in Yongsan, adding, ”They agreed to meet in the near future at a date and place to be determined.”

 

 

Yoon and Trump discussed U.S.-Japan cooperation, the U.S.-South Korea alliance, and North Korea's participation in the war in Ukraine, Kim said.


“The cooperation between the U.S., South Korea and Japan has been growing stronger day by day, and President Trump's contribution during his first term in office is partly responsible for this cooperation being built into the Camp David trilateral cooperation system,” Yoon said.

 

“We look forward to continuing our close partnership across all areas of security and economy,” he said.

 

In response, President-elect Trump said, “I look forward to continuing the good working relationship between the United States and South Korea, and I have heard good things about President Yoon's leadership.”

 

President Yoon also congratulated President-elect Trump, saying, “I sincerely congratulate you on your victory with the slogan ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA),” and wished him to lead a great America with his leadership.

 

In response, Trump said he was “very grateful” and conveyed his regards to the South Koreans, Kim said.