U.S. Media Extensively Report on Trump's Remarks
NYT: "Trump Casts Doubt on Summit Progress"
Bloomberg: "Lee Faces a Potentially Rocky Visit to the White House"
Reuters: "Trump Likely to Pressure Lee on Defense Spending"
On August 25 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump made an unexpected remark just before the South Korea-U.S. summit, stating, "It seems like a purge or revolution has taken place in South Korea." Local U.S. media outlets reported this statement extensively, predicting that the summit might not proceed smoothly.
The New York Times reported, "President Trump wrote on social media that the recent political changes in South Korea could weaken interest in trade and defense agreements," adding that "he cast doubt on whether there would be any progress at today's summit with President Lee Jaemyung at the White House."
Bloomberg News highlighted, "President Trump criticized South Korea's political instability and suggested that President Lee's visit to the White House for discussions on trade and investment agreements could be a potentially rocky visit." The report continued, "Before departing for Washington, President Lee warned that U.S. officials believe the tariff deal reached in July is excessively favorable to Seoul," analyzing that "this signaled concerns about the upcoming meeting with President Trump."
Previously, President Lee held a press briefing on the plane heading to Washington, D.C. after completing his visit to Japan. Regarding the U.S. request for further opening of the rice and beef markets, he stated, "It is not feasible for the presidents of South Korea and the United States to arbitrarily change mutually approved and already settled matters," and added, "It is not desirable to easily overturn or alter agreements."
Reuters reported, "President Trump criticized South Korea just hours before his summit with President Lee," and projected that "he may pressure President Lee on defense spending and the costs of stationing U.S. troops in South Korea." The report also noted, "President Lee aims to strike a balance in relations with the U.S. while not provoking hostility from China."
Just over three hours before the summit, President Trump posted on his own social media platform, Truth Social, "What is happening in South Korea? It seems like a purge or revolution has taken place in South Korea. We cannot do business there." He continued, "Today, I will meet the new president at the White House," and added, "Thank you for paying attention to this issue."
The purge or revolution he mentioned is interpreted as referring to the investigations and trials involving former President Yoon Sukyeol and others. This is widely seen as criticism of the Lee Jaemyung administration and could be interpreted as interference in South Korea's internal affairs.
In particular, this remark came at a time when differences between the two countries had surfaced over issues such as the modernization of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and trade matters, just ahead of the summit. It is interpreted as an attempt to question the legitimacy of the new government, shake up the situation, and gain the upper hand. There is also speculation that President Trump may be trying to pressure President Lee into making maximum concessions. Concerns have been raised that President Trump's unexpected remark, which constitutes a significant diplomatic discourtesy, could cast a negative atmosphere over the summit.
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