South Korea has revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump is open to considering a phased approach to addressing North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, signaling a possible shift in strategy toward Pyongyang.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said the proposal was discussed during informal talks with Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, where both leaders exchanged views on how to restart engagement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
According to Lee, Trump expressed interest in renewed dialogue with Pyongyang but also showed frustration over the lack of a clear pathway forward. He reportedly said it was “time to pay attention” to North Korea and indicated that Washington should reassess its approach.
Lee explained that he proposed a step-by-step strategy focused on short-, medium-, and long-term goals rather than immediate full denuclearisation. In the short term, he suggested prioritising a halt to North Korea’s production of nuclear material, preventing the export of weapons or related components, and slowing further development of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology.
Trump reportedly responded that such an approach “could be one way” forward and said he would give the proposal careful consideration.
The South Korean president also warned that sanctions and pressure alone have not been effective in curbing Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions. He noted that North Korea is believed to already possess a significant stockpile of nuclear weapons and continues to produce enough material to manufacture multiple warheads annually. He also raised concerns that the country’s missile capabilities, including re-entry technology for ICBMs, are approaching advanced stages of development.
Lee further pointed out that North Korea’s growing military cooperation with Russia in connection with the war in Ukraine has weakened the effectiveness of international sanctions.
The discussion comes against the backdrop of past diplomatic efforts between Washington and Pyongyang. Trump previously held historic summits with Kim Jong Un during his first term, but talks collapsed in Hanoi in 2019 over disagreements on sanctions relief and denuclearisation commitments. Since then, North Korea has taken a harder stance, declaring its nuclear status irreversible.
Beyond security issues, Lee said Trump also showed interest in expanding cooperation in shipbuilding. He revealed that the U.S. president asked whether South Korea could rapidly construct 10 American warships, to which Lee responded affirmatively, saying Seoul would do its best to support the request.
South Korea has already pledged major investments in the U.S. shipbuilding sector as part of broader trade cooperation, including a $150 billion commitment led by South Korean firms.
Lee also noted that his extended 90-minute dinner conversation with Trump during the G7 summit allowed for more in-depth discussions than a formal bilateral meeting would typically permit. During his broader visit to Europe, he met with several global leaders, including the German Chancellor, Italian Prime Minister, and Canadian Prime Minister.
Separately, during a visit to the Vatican, Lee said he invited the Pope to consider visiting the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, and potentially even North Korea itself. He said the Pope responded that he would carefully consider the request.
As diplomatic conversations continue, the latest developments suggest a renewed willingness among key global players to explore alternative pathways for managing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, even as long-standing challenges remain unresolved.
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