By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young met with U.S. Interim Ambassador to Korea Joseph Yun on Aug. 1, 2025. This meeting is drawing attention as interest in the possibility of a summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has grown.

Minister Chung met with Yun for the first time since taking office at the Seoul Government Complex that afternoon. He stated, "From our perspective, I believe the remaining three years and six months of President Donald Trump's term are a very important time in history."

He added, "I would like to emphasize the importance of President Trump's leadership in leading the unstable peace on the Korean Peninsula to a solid peace."

President Trump, who has expressed interest in the Nobel Peace Prize, has been actively intervening in wars, armed conflicts, and divisions around the world, taking on the role of peace broker.

Minister Chung said, "I respect President Trump's aversion to war and his tireless efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict." He reiterated his respect for President Trump's leadership, which pursues peace and coexistence, not war and conflict.

He then addressed Interim Ambassador Yoon, saying, "The ROK-US relationship was in a difficult situation where it could have been vulnerable amidst domestic chaos. I am deeply grateful for your effective management of the situation and your efforts to ensure that the ROK-US relationship continues unshaken."

Yoon stated, "I have worked with President Trump for about two years since he first came into office (during his first term), and I can certainly see his keen interest in the Korean Peninsula."

The two sides discussed various pending issues, including the ROK-US tariff negotiations and the schedule for the ROK-US summit, in a cordial atmosphere.