No clear path ahead for Lee's 'pacemaker' role amid Trump pressure, NK provocations

The Korea Times - Oct 3, 2026

President Lee Jae Myung’s envisioned “pacemaker” role in North Korea diplomacy faces mounting obstacles from Washington and Pyongyang, as a U.S. investment dispute complicates ties with Trump, whom Lee is counting on to reopen talks, and the North continues to reject Seoul’s overtures while intensifying provocations. Lee has cast U.S. President Donald Trump as a “peacemaker” capable of engaging North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, while describing himself as a “pacemaker” who would help create conditions for U.S.-North Korea dialogue and broaden it into peace talks involving South Korea. Because Lee’s “pacemaker” role depends heavily on Trump’s willingness to engage Kim, any dispute that complicates his coordination with the U.S. president could make it harder for Seoul to help restart North Korea talks. Against that backdrop, Trump stepped up pressure on Seoul over a $54 billion liquefied natural gas project in Alaska, Friday (local time), two days after unilaterally announcing South Korean participation, even though Seoul said no decision had been finalized. If fina

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