It has been a BIG two weeks for Korean leaders and political summits – with the South Korean President meeting with the US President, and the DPRK’s Leader being welcomed as a guest-of-honor in China. Cross-posting a Women Cross DMZ webinar called “Deals, Dilemmas, and Diplomacy,” featuring Paul Liem, Youngmi Cho, and Dae-Han Song (Source):
In their first summit last Monday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged U.S. President Donald Trump to be a “peacemaker” while pledging to act as the “pacemaker” in efforts to engage North Korea. The two discussed prospects for renewed dialogue with Pyongyang, but notably, neither discussed denuclearization—the key issue named by Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, in determining whether North Korea would engage the U.S. in dialogue.
Lee’s administration has previously proposed transferring wartime operational control over troops in South Korea (OPCON) from the U.S. by 2030, but neither leader discussed this issue. Meanwhile, U.S. Congress is set to vote on whether to restrict spending on OPCON transfer in the coming weeks.
What does all this mean for the future of peace in Korea?
This webinar features discussions on the implications of the summit and explores what real progress could look like.
Our panel included: Paul Liem (Korea Policy Institute), Dae-Han Song (International Strategy Center), Youngmi Cho (PeaceMOMO), moderated by Cathi Choi (Women Cross DMZ).*
*Please note: Youngmi Cho’s name tag in the webinar recording shows up incorrectly as Dae-Han Song. Event date: September 3, 2025
Photo Credit: President Lee meets Trump at the White House – in pictures [MSN, White House]
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