**TIME Magazine Interview “Request for a Reasonable Alternative from the U.S.” “Trump’s Comment on Ownership of U.S. Troops in Korea was a Joke”**
The presidential office announced on the 18th that President Lee Jae-myung, marking 100 days in office, had an interview with Charlie Campbell, the Asia Editor-at-Large for TIME Magazine, on the 3rd. The photo is from the press release provided by the presidential office, featuring the TIME Magazine cover.
In the interview with TIME, released on the 18th, President Lee Jae-myung mentioned the U.S.-South Korea tariff negotiation, stating, “If I had agreed to the U.S. demands as they were, I would have faced impeachment.” This implies that the U.S. made excessive demands regarding the $350 billion investment fund Korea agreed to create during last month’s summit, and President Lee rejected those demands.
During his interview with TIME on the 3rd, President Lee stated, “That’s why I requested a reasonable alternative from the U.S. negotiation team.” He also mentioned U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that “like me, he hasn’t lived an ordinary life,” highlighting their shared experience. Furthermore, he added, “Although Trump seems unpredictable from the outside as a businessman, I believe he is very goal-oriented and realistic. He wouldn’t make irrational choices that would make him appear as a loser.”
TIME analyzed that President Lee primarily discussed North Korean issues with President Trump, as reaching an agreement on the tariff negotiations seemed difficult. When asked about nominating President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, President Lee responded, “If there is concrete progress on North Korean issues, there is no one more deserving than President Trump.” Regarding specific progress, he mentioned, “We need to pursue a phased process through negotiations that partially ease or lift sanctions on North Korea—halt, reduce, and ultimately denuclearize their nuclear activities.” He added, “I believe President Trump thinks the same.”
President Lee commented on President Trump’s remarks about the ownership of U.S. military bases in Korea during the summit, believing it to be a “joke,” and noted that “the U.S. is already using the bases free of charge.” He stated, “If the U.S. were to actually own the land, they would need to pay property taxes, which we can’t waive.”
President Lee emphasized, “Our democracy and market economy values are based on the U.S.-South Korea alliance.” However, he added, “Considering geographical proximity to China, historical ties, economic connections, and human exchanges, we cannot completely cut ties with China.” He warned, “If we don’t manage relations to avoid hostility towards China, Korea risks becoming the frontline where two blocks collide.” When asked about attending China’s Victory Day celebrations, he said with a laugh, “China seemed to want to invite me, but I didn’t probe further.”
President Lee also shared his stance on domestic political issues. Regarding the state of turmoil caused by former President Yoon Seok-yeol’s martial law declaration, he claimed, “One of my greatest achievements was stabilizing Korea’s domestic political situation.” On granting special amnesty to Chairman Cho Kuk of the Innovation Party last Liberation Day, he called it an “inevitable choice,” understanding the potential split in public opinion, but deemed it a necessary move. He concluded by remarking on Korea’s political landscape, where confrontation and division are commonplace, stating, “My duty and responsibility are to change this culture.”