President Lee Jae Myung’s effort to cast South Korea as Donald Trump’s “pacemaker” is an attempt to preserve Seoul’s influence over North Korea diplomacy at a time when Pyongyang refuses direct engagement and Washington can move faster than alliance coordination.

Lee first used the metaphor during his Aug. 25, 2025 White House meeting, telling Trump that “if you become the peacemaker, then I will assist you by being a pacemaker.” He has since made the idea part of his administration’s broader approach to the Korean Peninsula.

The Unification Ministry’s 2026 work plancalls for Seoul to help restart U.S.-North