President Lee Jae Myung on May 17 holds phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul (Cheong Wa Dae).

By Yoon Sojung

U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to play a necessary role and contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

President Lee Jae Myung on May 17 held phone talks right with President Trump right after the latter concluded his visit to China to exchange views on the results of the Washington-Beijing summit and measures to boost Seoul-Washington ties, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung told a news briefing that day.

President Trump explained the results of his talks with China on topics ranging from overall Sino-American ties, economic and trade agreements, and issues involving the peninsula and the Middle East.

President Lee congratulated President Trump for a successful state visit to China, the first of its kind in nine years, and said stable management of U.S.-Chinese ties will contribute to peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world.

The Korean leader also welcomed constructive negotiations between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on inter-Korean issues.

President Trump responded by pledging to play a necessary role and contribute to peace and prosperity on the peninsula based on close cooperation between the leaders of Seoul and Washington.

On the war in the Middle East, President Lee praised President Trump's active leadership in resolving the conflict and expressed hope for early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

Following President Trump's visit to Beijing from May 14-15, he and President Xi reaffirmed the denuclearization of North Korea as a common goal.

In a fact sheet released on May 17, the White House said, "President Trump and President Xi confirmed their shared goal to denuclearize North Korea."

Calling his trip the "first visit of a U.S. President to the People's Republic of China since 2017," the White House added that President Trump "reached consensus with President Xi Jinping on several issues that will enhance stability and confidence for businesses and consumers around the world."

arete@korea.kr