Trump Suggests "Purge or Revolution" in South Korea on Social Media Before Summit with Lee
Na Kyungwon: Distrust Toward Korean Politics
Is Spreading in the United States
On the 25th, Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, commented on U.S. President Donald Trump’s description of South Korea’s political situation as a “purge or revolution” on his social networking service (SNS) just before the Korea-U.S. summit. She argued, “This suggests that distrust toward Korean society and politics is spreading both within the United States and internationally.”
On Facebook that day, Na wrote, “It is highly unusual for President Trump to publicly express such a strong message, openly questioning the order of South Korea’s liberal democracy and stating, ‘You cannot do business in this situation.’”
She continued, “The dictatorial governance shown by the Lee Jaemyung Democratic Party administration, the incitement of rebellion, the destruction of the judicial system, political retaliation against the opposition, and the all-out control of the media have ultimately made the situation in South Korea appear to the United States as a ‘purge’ or ‘revolution.’ Over time, history will judge what the substantive truth is.”
President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump, who came to greet him at the White House in Washington DC on the 25th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Earlier that day, President Trump sparked controversy by posting on his social networking service, Truth Social, “What is happening in South Korea? It looks like a purge or revolution.”
Later, during the summit, President Trump told President Lee, “I heard from my intelligence officials that there was a church raid. If that is true, it is regrettable,” and inquired about the special prosecutor’s raid.
In response, President Lee explained, “It has not been long since the Republic of Korea overcame the turmoil caused by a palace coup. A fact-finding investigation into the rebellion is currently being conducted by a special prosecutor appointed by the National Assembly.” He added, “Although it is not under my direct control, the Korean prosecution is currently verifying the facts. The investigation did not directly target U.S. forces, but rather examined how the Korean military’s control system within the base operated.”
After listening to President Lee’s explanation, President Trump clarified his earlier remarks about South Korea, saying, “I am convinced it was a misunderstanding. I made those comments because I had heard rumors about church crackdowns and raids.”
On the 25th, Na also claimed that President Lee was being diplomatically slighted by the U.S. side, as he was staying at a hotel near the White House instead of Blair House during his visit to the United States.
Na pointed out that, unlike President Lee, all previous presidents-Moon Jaein, who made an official working visit; Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myungbak, and Park Geunhye, who made working visits; and Lee Myungbak and Yoon Sukyeol, who made state visits-were treated with the courtesy of staying at Blair House regardless of the type of visit. She said this stands in stark contrast to the current situation, where President Lee is staying at a hotel in Washington, D.C. instead of the official guesthouse.
Na added, “There have been a series of unusual events during this visit to the U.S. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun skipped the Korea-Japan summit and hurried to the U.S., and the chief of staff, policy chief, and national security advisor from the presidential office all mobilized. This indicates that something unusual is at play.”
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