1. Trump Sounds Alarm Before Meeting South Korea’s New Leader
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump stirred international headlines on Monday by declaring that a “Purge or Revolution” was taking place in South Korea, just hours before hosting the country’s new president, Lee Jae Myung, at the White House.
The dramatic remark came through a Truth Social post, where Trump wrote: “WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We can’t have that and do business there.” The post set the stage for a potentially tense face-to-face meeting with Lee, who assumed office amid political upheaval in Seoul.
Later that morning, Trump elaborated to reporters from the Oval Office, saying he had heard about raids on churches and even a U.S. military base conducted by Lee’s government — actions he suggested were questionable. “I heard bad things,” Trump said. “I don’t know if it’s true or not. I’ll be finding out.”
The comments marked an unusually confrontational opening to what was expected to be a high-stakes diplomatic encounter focusing on trade, security, and the future of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
2. South Korea’s Political Turmoil and the Rise of Lee Jae Myung
To understand Trump’s reaction, it is important to look at South Korea’s turbulent political backdrop. Former president Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative and ideological ally of Trump, was forced from office earlier this year after briefly imposing martial law in December. The move backfired, sparking outrage, impeachment proceedings, and ultimately his removal by South Korea’s Constitutional Court in April.
In June, Lee Jae Myung, a liberal politician with a reputation as a reformer and a fierce critic of conservative elites, won the presidency. His rise to power symbolized a seismic political shift.
Lee’s government has since pursued investigations into figures associated with Yoon’s administration. Among the most notable were:
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A police raid on a church led by a conservative pastor accused of fueling violent protests.
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Prosecutor-led raids on the Unification Church, tied to allegations that luxury goods were funneled to Yoon’s wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee.
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A controversial raid at Osan Air Base, which is jointly run by U.S. and South Korean forces, as part of an inquiry into Yoon’s martial law declaration.
South Korean officials insisted that the Osan search was limited to areas under Seoul’s jurisdiction. Still, Trump seized on these actions to paint a picture of political chaos — calling it nothing short of a “purge” against Yoon’s conservative allies.
Lee’s own story has captivated the South Korean public. Once a child laborer who overcame poverty and disability, he steadily climbed the political ranks as a voice for working-class Koreans. His 2024 victory came after multiple attempts at the presidency, cementing him as a symbol of perseverance. However, his tenure started under intense pressure — including a near-fatal assassination attempt in January 2024.
3. Trade, Defense, and the Tense U.S.–South Korea Agenda
Before Trump’s fiery remarks, the meeting between the two leaders was expected to focus on solidifying July’s trade deal. That agreement committed South Korea to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. industries, while setting tariffs on South Korean exports at 15% — a reduction from Trump’s earlier threats of 25%.
Automobiles remain South Korea’s top export to the U.S., and Washington has been pressing Seoul to further open its market to American goods, particularly cars and agricultural products. Trump has repeatedly targeted South Korea’s large trade surplus as unfair, placing the issue at the center of his economic agenda.
Lee’s office confirmed that the White House summit would also spotlight cooperation in critical manufacturing sectors such as semiconductors, batteries, and shipbuilding. These industries are not only vital to both economies but also strategically important as Washington seeks to reduce dependence on China.
On defense, questions loom over the future presence of U.S. troops in South Korea. Trump has long demanded that allies pay more for hosting American forces, a topic likely to resurface in the talks. For Seoul, there is growing concern that Washington may push for higher contributions at a time of domestic political upheaval.
4. A Symbolic Trip and a Global Balancing Act
President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to the United States followed a highly symbolic stop in Tokyo, where he met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The choice was significant: Lee is the first South Korean president since 1965 to make Japan his inaugural bilateral destination, a gesture widely interpreted as an attempt to repair historic rifts and present a united front in the face of shifting U.S. policies.
Lee’s arrival in Washington was marked by an outreach event with 200 Korean-Americans in downtown D.C., underscoring his effort to build bridges with the diaspora community.
For Trump, however, the meeting carried a different tone. His fiery rhetoric about a “Purge or Revolution” in South Korea was more than just social media bluster; it was a warning shot that the U.S. may take a harder line with Lee’s government.
The clash highlights broader challenges in U.S.-Asia relations. Trump views trade imbalances as a personal mission, while Lee seeks to navigate the political scars of South Korea’s recent upheaval. With regional security, global supply chains, and the North Korean threat also looming, both leaders must balance domestic pressures with international obligations.
As the two sat down at the White House on Monday afternoon, the world watched closely to see whether Trump’s opening salvo would lead to confrontation — or whether both sides would find common ground to steady an alliance that remains one of the most important in the Indo-Pacific.
Final Word
The stakes of this meeting go beyond a single diplomatic encounter. Trump’s willingness to publicly question South Korea’s stability, paired with Lee’s reformist but controversial agenda, means U.S.–South Korea relations are entering uncharted territory. Whether Monday’s talks result in a breakthrough or a widening rift will be closely watched by allies and rivals alike.
