US President Trump's relationship with North Korean leader Kim is being scrutinized after Kim Yo Jong warned against denuclearization efforts. Kim Yo Jong stated that any push to deny the North its nuclear status would be "thoroughly rejected". The US and South Korea have taken different approaches under former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who took a hard line towards Pyongyang, but newly elected President Lee Jae Myung is seeking talks with the North without preconditions.
Leaders from both friendly nations highlighted the growth of cooperation in various sectors such as economy, investment, energy, defence, and security, aligning with their leadership's aspirations and serving mutual interests. They discussed regional and global politics, as well as joint efforts to advance development, peace, and stability. Emphasis was placed on enhancing parliamentary cooperation through diplomatic dialogue, which strengthens partnerships with influential actors and contributes to global security and stability.
South Korean President Lee met with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba during their first summit in June at a G7 meeting in Canada, vowing to deepen ties between the two countries. Their second meeting is set to take place as they navigate US tariffs imposed by Donald Trump's administration, which has strained relations between the US and Japan.
South Korea and Japan are struggling to repair their strained relations, with tensions simmering over historical issues and trade disputes. Lee Jae-myung, the mayor of Seoul, has called for a more collaborative approach between the two nations, while Shigeru Ishiba, a former Japanese prime minister, has expressed concerns about South Korea's handling of wartime records. The situation is further complicated by ongoing trade tensions, with Japan imposing export restrictions on key materials used in the production of semiconductors and other electronics.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to visit the US from September 23-29 to discuss trade and tariff issues with President Donald Trump, amid tensions over a 50% tariff on Indian goods imposed by the US. The meeting aims to address disagreements over opening India's farm and dairy sectors and stopping Russian oil purchases. Modi's visit comes after previous bilateral talks collapsed due to recalcitrance from New Delhi, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hoping to wrap up trade negotiations by the end of October.
Ukraine's military intelligence chief, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, has stated that North Korea has gained valuable experience and access to advanced technology from supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine, potentially impacting the balance of power in Northeast Asia.
South Korea and Vietnam have pledged to nearly double their bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030, as Vietnamese leader To Lam's state visit to South Korea this week revealed President Lee Jae-myung's new foreign policy direction for Southeast Asia. The two nations aim to deepen economic cooperation and expand military ties amid the US-China rivalry, with expanded arms sales on the cards.
US President Donald Trump will participate in a video conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and leaders from Finland, France, Britain, Italy, Poland, and the European Union at 1200 GMT. The meeting aims to counterbalance the upcoming Alaska summit, where Trump is expected to discuss Ukraine's participation in any deal. Senior European officials warn that a favorable agreement for Europe and Ukraine's security may be at risk due to concerns about provoking Trump's ire.
US President Donald Trump accepted a bilateral meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the Alaska summit, but not a trilateral meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy, as proposed by Putin. The US proposal aimed to gain a better understanding of how to end the war in Ukraine. Despite Russia's advances in eastern Ukraine, including capturing the town of Chasiv Yar, Ukraine's military recently retaken two villages in the Sumy region. European leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, expressed concerns that Trump may reward Putin for his efforts to seize Ukrainian territory, with Orban calling Russia "the winner" of the war.