Trump Claims ‘Purge or Revolution’ in South Korea Before Lee Meeting/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump raised alarms over South Korea’s political situation ahead of his White House meeting with President Lee Jae Myung, calling recent events a “Purge or Revolution.” Trump hinted at suspending business relations with Seoul, clouding the atmosphere for key trade and defense talks. Lee, South Korea’s newly elected liberal leader, seeks to stabilize international ties amid recent domestic unrest.
Trump and South Korea Quick Looks
- Trump warned of a “Purge or Revolution” in South Korea
- Social media post raised concerns ahead of White House summit
- Former President Yoon ousted after martial law declaration
- Trump questions U.S. business relations with Seoul
- President Lee Jae Myung seeks strong U.S. economic ties
- July trade deal includes 15% tariffs on Korean imports
- Lee met Japanese Prime Minister before U.S. visit to show regional unity
- U.S.-South Korea talks to cover semiconductors, defense, and shipbuilding
- Lee survived assassination attempt in 2024, now leads liberal coalition
- Trump hints at raising troop payments and tariffs
Deep Look: Trump Suggests ‘Purge or Revolution’ in South Korea Before Hosting New Leader
WASHINGTON — August 25, 2025 – President Donald Trump stirred controversy Monday by claiming that a “Purge or Revolution” is unfolding in South Korea, casting a shadow over the high-stakes White House summit with the country’s newly elected president, Lee Jae Myung.
Just hours before their scheduled meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social:
“WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We can’t have that and do business there. I am seeing the new President today at the White House. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!”
Political Upheaval in Seoul
Trump’s comments appeared to reference recent political instability in South Korea, including the dramatic downfall of former conservative president Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon had declared martial law in December 2024 amid nationwide protests, a move widely condemned as unconstitutional. In response, the South Korean Parliament, led by then-opposition figure Lee, successfully impeached Yoon, leading to his ouster in April 2025.
Yoon had been a close ideological ally to Trump and had reportedly taken up golfing again following Trump’s 2024 re-election to strengthen their personal bond. Lee, by contrast, is a liberal populist who ran on reform and transparency.
White House Summit in Jeopardy?
Before Trump’s latest remarks, the meeting between the two leaders was intended to solidify terms from a July trade agreement that positioned South Korea to invest hundreds of billions in U.S. manufacturing sectors. Trump had initially threatened tariffs as high as 25% on Korean goods, but settled on a 15% rate after negotiations.
“South Korea will be COMPLETELY OPEN TO TRADE with the United States,” Trump declared at the time, emphasizing increased exports of cars and agricultural products, two major U.S. industries.
South Korea currently enjoys one of the largest trade surpluses with the U.S. among Indo-Pacific allies — something Trump has long criticized as unfair and unsustainable. Monday’s meeting was expected to cover economic cooperation in semiconductors, EV batteries, and shipbuilding, all top priorities for both administrations.
Defense Issues on the Table
Another key issue up for discussion is the future of U.S. troop presence in South Korea, which remains a cornerstone of U.S. defense policy in the region. Trump has previously signaled he may seek higher financial contributions from Seoul for stationing American troops, sparking concern among South Korean defense officials.
President Lee, who took office in June 2025, has vowed to maintain strong security ties with Washington while also boosting diplomatic coordination with neighboring Japan. He visited Tokyo last week for his first bilateral summit, marking the first time a South Korean president chose Japan as their first diplomatic destination since the two nations normalized ties in 1965.
Analysts interpreted the Japan trip as a strategic move to display unity and prepare for difficult negotiations with Washington.
Lee’s Remarkable Rise
Lee Jae Myung’s political journey is one of South Korea’s most compelling stories. Born into poverty and having worked as a child laborer, Lee suffered a workplace accident that left him with an arm deformity. Rising through progressive ranks, he led the Democratic Party and narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election before making a successful comeback in 2025.
In January 2024, Lee survived an assassination attempt when a man posing as a supporter stabbed him in the neck. The attacker later admitted to planning to kill Lee, a moment that stunned the nation and underscored the deep polarization in South Korean politics.
Lee arrived in Washington on Sunday and attended a private dinner with over 200 Korean-Americans in downtown D.C. before his Monday meetings at the White House. His office has remained silent on Trump’s social media post, focusing instead on highlighting economic and defense cooperation.
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