President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by telephone for 30 minutes last night to discuss the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and issues involving the Korean Peninsula. The two heads of state agreed to closely work together for the successful conclusion of the PyeongChang Games scheduled to begin next week.

President Trump wished him a successful Winter Olympic Games, the first large-scale international event to be held since the inauguration of President Moon. President Moon thanked President Trump for sending a high-level delegation to be led by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.

President Moon said he hoped that the momentum for furthering inter- Korean talks created on the occasion of the PyeongChang Olympics would continue, thereby contributing to the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula. The President also expressed the hope that the visit of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence would serve as an important opportunity to this end.

Noting that many countries had, for fear of participating, examined a withdrawal from the PyeongChang Olympics three or four weeks ago, President Trump said now no country had any such fear. Wishing for a successful and safe Olympics, President Trump added that the United States would be with South Korea 100 percent. 

President Moon said President Trump’s principled and consistent policy toward the Korean Peninsula greatly contributed to the creation of a peaceful atmosphere for the Olympics, including North Korea’s participation in the event.

The two leaders also exchanged opinions on the situation on the Peninsula after the Olympics.

President Trump also mentioned that there was a need to resolve issues regarding the trade imbalance between the two countries, and President Moon answered that his Administration would faithfully work with its U.S. counterpart at the ongoing KORUS FTA renegotiation talks.