U.S. President Donald Trump urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to release jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai during their meeting in South Korea last week, according to three people familiar with the discussions and a U.S. administration official.

During the meeting, Trump briefly raised Jimmy Lai’s case, voicing concern over the 77-year-old Hong Kong media tycoon’s health following his prolonged national security trial, according to people familiar with the talks.

Officials said Xi acknowledged the issue after Trump suggested that releasing Lai would improve China’s image and help U.S.-China relations.

Trump’s direct intervention comes as Lai awaits a verdict after a trial widely seen as a symbol of China’s crackdown on rights and freedoms in the Asian financial hub under a nationa

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