The government plans to coordinate schedules with U.S. officials to arrange an early meeting between President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. 

A foreign ministry official revealed the plan on Thursday when asked by a reporter on whether Yoon and Trump could meet before the president-elect takes office. 

The official said Seoul plans to make preparations based on the understanding that Trump positively views the idea of meeting Yoon before his inauguration. 

The official’s comment came hours after First Deputy Director of National Security Kim Tae-hyo said Yoon and Trump agreed during a telephone conversation to meet after promptly deciding on a date and venue. 

The government is said to be pondering on the format and agenda of the envisioned meeting given that U.S. President Joe Biden is still in office and Trump is yet to be in a position representing the American government.