Trump Asks After Korean First Lady, Floats December Golf Outing

U.S. President Donald Trump's first words to President Lee Jae-myung when the two met on the 22nd were to ask after the South Korean first lady, according to officials. He also brought up the idea of a golf outing at both the beginning and the end of their conversation.

Trump met Lee at a hotel in New York and, after shaking hands, asked about Kim Hye-kyung, Lee's wife, a senior Presidential Office official said. He then said the two should play a round of golf. No specific date was set at the meeting.

Lee and Kim previously met Trump at an official dinner during the Group of Seven summit in Evian, France, in June this year. Trump proposed a couples' golf outing to Lee at that meeting as well. He appeared to be recalling that encounter in reaffirming his interest in playing together.

The two leaders agreed it would be good to play golf when they attend the Group of 20 summit in Miami in December, the Presidential Office official said. The talks proceeded in a friendly atmosphere, coming as negotiations on Korean investment in the U.S. have made progress. Lee also wished success for the U.S.-China summit scheduled for the following day, saying it was important for regional dynamics, including relations between South Korea and China.

It was the third meeting between Lee and Trump since Lee took office. The two leaders previously held talks in Washington in August last year, followed by a summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Gyeongju in October.