U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, meeting for first time, described admiration for each other, and pledged cooperation.

In the Oval Office, President Trump met his South Korean counterpart as the relationship between their countries has been strained.

North Korea said U.S.-South Korea joint military drills proved Washington's intention to "occupy" the Korean peninsula and aim at its enemy countries in the region, state media reported.