"What’s going on in South Korea? It looks like a purge or an uprising. We can't let that happen and can't do business there," US President Donald Trump posted on social media on 25/8.
Trump didn't specify what he was referring to, but said he would discuss the matter with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The US President's post came just before Lee arrived at the White House for his first visit to the US since taking office.
The South Korean presidential office said it was reviewing the issue and would verify information related to Trump's post. The White House hasn't issued a statement clarifying the president's post.
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US President Donald Trump at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AP |
US President Donald Trump at the White House on 18/8. Photo: AP
Meanwhile, South Korean Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho claimed the US president and US officials had "distorted information" about President Lee Jae-myung and the ruling Liberty Korea Party.
Trump's statement came after South Korean prosecutors on 24/8 filed an arrest warrant for former prime minister Han Duck-soo, accusing him of assisting former president Yoon Suk-yeol in imposing martial law in 12/2024.
This isn't the first time Trump has attacked foreign leaders upon their arrival at the White House. In May, while hosting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office, Trump surprised everyone by asking staff to play a video showing "evidence of black South African politicians calling for the suppression of whites".
After an initial moment of astonishment, President Ramaphosa remained calm and didn't argue with Trump. He later denied accusations that South Africa was seizing land from white farmers.
Ngoc Anh (AFP, Reuters, Yonhap)
