Trump Meets South Korean President Amid Diplomatic Tensions
President Donald Trump received South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House on Monday, just hours after suggesting on social media that the US might halt business ties with South Korea. In his posts, Trump called the political situation in South Korea "like a coup" and questioned the legitimacy of Lee's administration, which was elected following the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
While Trump's tone on social media was harsh, the meeting between the two was more cordial. Trump congratulated Lee on his victory and expressed his belief that controversial issues like the recent church raids were simply misunderstandings. Lee himself praised Trump for everything from the Oval Office decor to the success of the US stock market, even joking that Trump should build a Trump Tower in North Korea.
The meeting was significant for Lee, who has been in office for less than three months and is seeking to focus on trade cooperation. The two countries had previously agreed to a framework for cooperation that included substantial South Korean investment in the US and a reduction in tariffs from 25% to 15%, equivalent to those imposed on Japan and the European Union. Trump stated that some issues in the agreement had been resolved.
While Trump signaled positive sentiment toward bilateral relations, he continued to pressure South Korea to contribute more to defense, including sharing the cost of stationing US troops. He also mentioned his desire to own the land where US military bases are located, without specifying the exact locations. Currently, approximately 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korea—a figure Trump incorrectly stated as more than 40,000.
Lee walks a fine line in his foreign policy, seeking to strengthen ties with the US while simultaneously opening a more friendly diplomatic path toward China. He describes himself as a "pragmatist" focused on national interests. So far, this approach has been quite successful, with the South Korean public supporting strong ties with the US but remaining wary of Beijing's influence. This meeting is seen as an important effort to maintain that balance. (ayu)
Source: Newsmaker.id
