South Korea's Lee says he and Trump discussed modernising their countries' alliance

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 25, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon

(Reuters) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday that he and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed modernizing the two countries' alliance during their summit talks.

Lee also said South Korea would expand its defense budget to transform the country's military into a smart military that will prevail in future warfare.