U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House on Monday. The meeting comes at a turbulent time in South Korea’s politics.
Earlier in the day, Trump posted on Truth Social, questioning the political unrest in South Korea:
“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.”
President Lee Jae Myung, who leads South Korea’s Democratic Party, took office in June after the dramatic downfall of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was detained following a failed martial law attempt in late 2023. Lee himself survived an assassination attempt in January 2024, making his leadership all the more notable.
South Korea remains one of America’s strongest allies in Asia, but ties have been tested under Trump, especially over trade tariffs. At this meeting, Lee is expected to introduce a massive $150 billion trade proposal called “Make America Shipbuilding Great Again.” The plan focuses on building new shipyards in the United States, training American workers, and supporting U.S. Navy ship maintenance.
This comes just a month after the two nations struck a last-minute agreement centered on shipbuilding cooperation, which both sides framed as vital for economic growth and national security.
In short, Trump’s talks with Lee Jae Myung could redefine U.S.–South Korea relations, especially in terms of trade, defense, and regional stability in Asia.
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