Trump Says "Intelligence Authorities Reported Church Raids"
President Lee Explains "Misunderstanding, Investigation Targeted South Korean Air Force Facility"
On August 25 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern during the South Korea-U.S. summit regarding the South Korean special prosecutor's team's raid on churches, stating, "If it is true, it would be a very bad thing."
During a meeting with President Lee Jaemyung in the Oval Office that day, President Trump was asked by reporters, "What do you think about the raids on churches and the Osan U.S. military base?" He replied, "I have heard from intelligence authorities that there were raids on churches."
President Trump continued, "We will discuss it later," and added, "If it is true, it would be a very bad thing."
He reiterated, "I have heard from intelligence authorities that churches were raided and that some church doors were closed," adding, "To me, it does not sound like something typical of South Korea."
President Trump then listened to President Lee's explanation that the special prosecutor's investigation targeted a South Korean Air Force facility, not a U.S. military facility at Osan Air Base. Trump said, "I am sure there was a misunderstanding," but reiterated, "However, there are still rumors about raids on churches."
Earlier that morning, President Trump posted on his self-created social networking service, Truth Social, "What is happening in South Korea?" and wrote, "It looks like a purge or a revolution."
Later, when asked about the issue during an executive order signing ceremony at the White House, he said, "I have heard that in recent days, there have been raids on churches in South Korea, very aggressive raids by the new government." President Trump also added, "I heard they even entered our (U.S. military) bases to collect information," and said, "That should not have happened, and I have heard some troubling things."
Last month, the special prosecutor's team investigating the death of a Marine raided Yoido Full Gospel Church, while the Min Junggi special prosecutor's team investigating suspicions related to First Lady Kim Keonhee raided the headquarters of the Unification Church in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, and in Seoul. The special prosecutor's team investigating martial law insurrection and treason allegations also raided a joint South Korea-U.S. Air Force radar facility at Osan Air Base last month.
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