The President: Thank you very much Melania
and I are are honored to welcome
President Moon of South Korea, and his lovely wife
Madam Kim to the White house Mr. President let
me be the first to congratulate you on your
election tremendous election Victory and also
the people of South Korea for providing Such an
incredible example of democracy for the world to
see it was very exciting.
I must say and congratulations this
morning president Moon and vice president pence Laid
a wreath at the Korean War Veterans memorial to
commemorate the th anniversary of the Korean
War It's a beautiful ceremony we will never
forget that Americans and Koreans bravely fought and
Died together for a free Korea to the Korean and
American veterans of that war great people We are
eternally grateful for your service and fo your
sacrifice More than six decades after our
partnership was forged in the fires of war the
Alliance between the United States and South
Korea is a cornerstone of peace and security in a
very very dangerous part of the World
the link between our countries
cemented in Battle is
now also tied Together by culture
commerce and common values
Together we are facing the threat of the reckless and
brutal regime in North Korea
the Nuclear and ballistic missile programs of that
regime require a determined response
The North Korean dictatorship has no regard
for the safety and security of its people
or its neighbors
And has no respect for human life, and that's
been proven over and over again
millions of North Korea's own citizens have
suffered and starved
to death and the entire world just
Witnessed what the regime did
to our wonderful Otto Warmbier I
Thanked president Moon for expressing his condolences
On the travesty of Otto's death
Our thoughts and our prayers remained with his
wonderful family
the Era of strategic patience
With the North Korean regime has failed
many years and it's failed and
Frankly that patience is over
We are working closely with South Korea, and
Japan as well as partners around the world
on a range of diplomatic
Security and
economic measures
To protect our allies and our own citizens from this
menace known as North Korea
the United States calls on other regional powers and
all responsible nations
To join us in implementing sanctions and demanding
that the North Korean regime
Choose a better path and do it quickly and a
different future
For its long-suffering people
Our goal is peace
stability and prosperity for the region
But the United States will defend itself always will
defend itself always and
we will always defend our allies as
Part of that commitment.
We are working together to ensure?
fair burden-sharing in support of the United
States military presence
in South Korea burden-sharing is a very
important factor a
Factor that's becoming more and more prevalent
in this administration
We're also working to create a fair and
reciprocal economic relationship
from when the
Us-Korea trade Deal was signed in
To you know who signed it.
You know who wanted it our trade deficit with South
Korea has increased
by more than Eleven billion dollars
Not exactly a great deal I
Was gratified to learn about the new investment
South Korean companies are making in the United States
this month Shanaya is sending its first shipment of
American Liquefied natural gas to South Korea in a deal
worth more than twenty five billion dollars.
It's great
We will do more to remove barriers
To reciprocal trade and market access we talked
last night and today about some tough trade
issues like Autos and
Steel and I'm encouraged by president moons
assurances that
He will work to create a level playing field, so
that American workers and
businesses and
especially Automakers
Can have a fair shake at dealing with South Korea?
South Korean companies sell cars in America
American companies
Should have that same exact privilege on a
reciprocal basis, and I'm sure we'll be able
to work that out
In addition I have called on South Korea to stop
enabling the export of dumped steel
These would be important steps forward in our
trading relationship very important steps
they have to be made
not fair to the American worker if they are not
and they will be
our teams are going to get to work on these issues and
They're going to sign a deal
That's great for South Korea and great for the
United States
Mr. President I'm thrilled that you are here
today and deeply honored that you choose to
Go to the United States as your first
foreign trip as
president I greatly enjoyed our dinner
last night and
The many productive discussions that we've
already started having today
I look forward to working with you for many years to come
to strengthen our alliance protect our citizens from
common threats and
Deepen the Enduring bonds of Friendship between
Americans and the great people of South Korea.
Thank you very much president moon.
President Moon: Let me begin by expressing my deep appreciation
to President Trump for inviting me to the White House and
extending me such a special welcome.
When I was elected president last month
President trump was the first foreign leader to
give me a congratulatory call
after going through such a tumultuous
journey the Korean people finally achieved
victory the words of
the president trump conveyed the warmth of the
American people's hearts for what we have
accomplished in Korea for
Tribulations and adversity we have surmounted for
freedom Democracy peace and prosperity
Towards which we have walked together
For all the great alliance has achieved you gave your
consolation and support once again and lamented
this opportunity to thank you, Mr.
President and the American people in my first phone
conversation with president trump last may
he came across as a man of determination
and pragmatism leaving me a
powerful impression and yesterday and today
I had a candid and lengthy conversation with
President Trump, and I was able to prove myself, right?
from developing the Rock us alliance
resolving the dpRk Nuclear issue to building lasting
peace on the Korean peninsula
I affirm the president trump's unswerving
Commitment and we were able to build a
broad consensus
During my visit this time
president trump, and I were able to forge
friendship as well as deep mutual trust as
We endeavor to tackle numerous challenges ahead
of us this will give us a solid foundation to rely on
First president trump, and I agreed that only strong
security can bring about genuine peace
Through rock us combined the defense posture
including extended deterrence we concurred to
strengthen our overwhelming deterrence
The threat and provocations by the North
will be met with a stern response
The gravest challenge confronting our two
nations is the nuclear and missile threat
posed by North Korea
president trump, and I decided to place a top
priority on addressing this issue and
coordinate closely on Relevant policies
to this end our two leaders will employ both
sanctions and dialogue in a phased and
comprehensive approach and based on this we both
pledged to seek a
fundamental resolution of the North Korean
Nuclear problem
the North Korea Nuclear issue
Must be resolved without fail North Korea
should by no means
underestimate the firm Commitment of Korea
and the U.S.
In this regard I also
Urge pyongyang to promptly return to the negotiating
table for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula
National Security leaves no room for either
compromise or concession on this occasion the us
and president Trump's firm resolve of all the
alliances noted with great appreciation
The Republic of Korea for its part will strive to
strengthen ROK U.S.
combined defense capabilities while at the
same time by pursuing defense reform
Build up its own capacity to defend itself as we
undertake these endeavors bilateral cooperation and
defense technologies
I hope we'll gather further traction
second economic partnership between
our countries
forms an essential pillar for future oriented
development of the Alliance
We both both agreed on this view
economic growth and job creation will be promoted to
Ensure our peoples enjoy greater mutual benefits
through the collective efforts we committed to make
Third as we fight against terrorism and other global
challenges together the rock us alliance as
agreed by ourselves
Will be broadened and developed into global
partnership as we move forward our two nations
will work towards establishing
High-level strategic concentration mechanisms
in diverse areas into areas of interest
to make it happen
concrete actions will be formulated in
close consultation I
Would like to take a moment to
Convey my heartfelt
Sympathy and condolences to the American people and
the bereaved family grieving over the death of
Mr. Warmbier the resident atar of a state is to
defend its people I
deeply sympathize with Americans who are saddened
that they were not able to defend their
fellow citizen as a
former Human rights attorney myself
I am keenly aware of the significance of human
rights as the universal value of humanity
to make sure such
Tragedy never repeats itself our two nations
will cooperate with the community of nations to
promote human rights in North Korea
I also invited president trump to visit Korea
this year and
He graciously accepted my offer
Mr. and Mrs. Trump's visit to Korea will once again
Demonstrate not only our friendship, but also the
intimate bond our peoples have come to foster
through thick and thin
Your visit will become yet another milestone in
defining our partnership.
I will see to it than myself
Once again, Mr. President I extend my sincerest
gratitude to you and the first lady for such
warm hospitality.
Thank You.