The leaders had a working lunch that included Thousand Island salad dressing, in what Lee’s office said was a nod to Trump’s “success story in his hometown of New York”. The meal also included local specialties “according to President Trump’s preferences”.

On the menu were “mini beef patties with ketchup”, a “Korean Platter of Sincerity” featuring US beef and local rice and soybean paste, and grilled fish with a glaze of ketchup and gochujang, a red chilli paste.

The lunch was capped by a “Peacemaker’s Dessert” consisting of a brownie adorned with gold.

The dessert plate will feature the word “PEACE!”, Seoul’s presidential office said earlier, echoing the two leaders’ first meeting when they pledged to act as a “peacemaker” and a “pacemaker” for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

But tensions with North Korea remain high after Pyongyang brushed aside Lee’s outreach and instead deepened military and economic links with Russia.

And Trump said Wednesday he was not able to arrange a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to the South, ending fierce speculation over a possible summit after years of diplomatic deadlock.