*Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2017 *

**Remarks Prior to a Meeting With President Moon Jae-in of South Korea in New York City **

*September 21, 2017 *

*President Trump.* Thank you very much. It's a great privilege to be with President Moon of South Korea. As you probably know, we've had a few discussions over the last number of months, and I think—I actually think we're making a lot of headway in a lot of different ways.

We are, on a very friendly basis, working on trade and working on trade agreements, and we'll see how that all comes out. But much more importantly, frankly, than trade is the other aspect of our relationship that we're working with, and that has to do with North Korea.

So we are meeting on a constant basis. We'll be meeting in a little while, also, with Prime Minister Abe of Japan, and that will be a tri-meeting. So we will see. But I think we're making a lot of progress in a lot of different ways. Stay tuned. Stay tuned.

Would you like to say something? Yes. Go ahead.

[*At this point, an interpreter translated President Trump's remarks*.]

*President Moon.* Mr. President, I have met you several times, and I've also held—had many telephone conversations with you. And because of this, I am becoming more and more familiar and seem—with you.

Over the years, over—North Korea has continued to make provocations, and this is extremely deplorable, and this has angered both me and our people. But the United States has responded firmly and in a very good way, and because of this, I also believe that we have very close coordination between Korea and the United States. And because of this, I'm very satisfied.

Mr. President, in the U.N. General Assembly, you made a very strong speech, and I believe that the strength of your speech will also help to change North Korea.

Thank you very much.

*President Trump.* Well, thank you very much. And I'm very happy that you used the word "deplorable." I was very interested in that word. [*Laughter*] I didn't tell them—I promise I did not tell them to use that word. [*Laughter*] That's been a very lucky word for me and many millions of people. [*Laughter*]

So because of the fact that our trade deal is so bad for the United States and so good for South Korea, I said we'll focus on the military. But actually, we're going to try and straighten out the trade deal and make it fair for everybody.

But our real focus will be on the military and our relationship with South Korea, which is excellent—which is really excellent.

So we're going to start that process right now. Thank you very much. Thank you, everybody.

NOTE: The President spoke at 11:32 a.m. in the Hubbard I meeting room at the Lotte New York Palace hotel. President Moon spoke in Korean, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.

*Categories:* Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : South Korea, President Moon*.*

*Locations: *New York City.

*Names:* Abe, Shinzo; Moon Jae-in*.*

*Subjects:* Japan : Prime Minister; New York : President's visits; North Korea : International diplomatic efforts; South Korea : Free trade agreement with U.S.; South Korea : President; South Korea : Relations with U.S.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201700671.