Hours before South Korean president Lee Jae Mung was due to meet US president Donald Trump, a Truth Social post dropped. Beginning with WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? the post then referred to a Purge or Revolution - which many read as a reference to the prosecution of former president Yoon Suk Yeol that failed last December. Speaking in the Oval Office before the meeting, Trump criticized South Korea's government actions. However, Lee managed to impress with his charm, preventing a diplomatic disaster reminiscent of other high-profile meetings. Lee praised the rapport Trump shares with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and even joked about building a Trump Tower in North Korea. The two exchanged views on trade, with Trump affirming that the US and South Korea 'need each other'. As the meeting concluded, it was clear that Lee's diplomacy averted a potentially disastrous encounter, much to the relief of many in Seoul.
S Korea's Lee Jae Myung Wows Trump and Avoids Political Pitfalls
S Korea's Lee Jae Myung Wows Trump and Avoids Political Pitfalls
In a high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump, South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung turns the charm on while avoiding potential embarrassment, all under the worrying backdrop of political tensions.
Ahead of Lee's meeting with Trump, anxieties ran high in Seoul, particularly due to Trump’s controversial posts. Despite this, Lee adeptly navigated the discussion with humor and diplomacy, effectively preventing any fallout similar to that of other global leaders who faced challenging encounters with the former U.S. President. Both leaders discussed important topics like peace with North Korea and the strong trading relationship between the U.S. and South Korea.
