South Korean president thanks Korean Americans

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung opened his first official U.S. visit on Sunday evening at a hotel in downtown Washington, D.C., with a dinner attended by around 200 Korean American community leaders.

The event preceded his official summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and set the tone for the bilateral engagement.

At the event, Lee praised the community’s contributions in business, culture and public service, saying their success had strengthened ties with the U.S. “The Korean American community has been the living foundation of the Korea-U.S. alliance,” he said. “Your efforts and sacrifices have helped elevate our national dignity and global standing.” He added his “deep respect and gratitude” for their role in advancing prosperity in both nations.

When Lee met Trump at the White House the following day for their first summit, he opened with flattery to ease tension. Just hours earlier, the U.S. president had suggested in a social media post that a “Purge or Revolution” was underway in South Korea and threatened to stop doing business with Seoul.

“The only person that can make progress on this issue is you, Mr. President. If you become the peacemaker, then I will assist you by being a pacemaker,” Lee said through a translator. He added, “I look forward to your meeting with chairman Kim Jong Un and construction of a Trump Tower in North Korea and playing golf at that place.” Trump smiled at the remark and replied, “I’d like to meet him this year.”

Lee also announced a $350 billion South Korean investment package in the U.S., including $150 billion for shipbuilding and major projects in aerospace, energy and technology.