President Donald Trump threatened on social media to cut business with South Korea over a claimed "Purge or Revolution" before meeting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The Oval Office meeting was cordial, with Lee praising Trump, the Oval Office decor, and asking for continued U.S. assistance on Korean peace efforts, even suggesting a Trump Tower in North Korea. Trump congratulated Lee on his election and pledged full support. World leaders often use praise and adulation to secure favorable trade terms and continued U.S. military aid. Lee assumed office amid political turmoil after Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster and martial law.
But any prospect of a hostile Oval Office meeting evaporated after Lee heaped praise onto the U.S. president - lauding the decor, beseeching Trump to continue to help with Korean peace efforts and even suggesting a Trump Tower in North Korea. "We've known each other and gotten along very well," Trump said. After running down the agenda for the summit, Trump added: "It's a great honor to be with you and congratulations on your election. That was a big one, and we're with you 100%."
The cordial display showed how world leaders are taking notes from previous meetings between Trump and heads of state, who've largely chosen the route of praise and adulation rather than confrontation as they seek favorable trade terms and continued military aid from Washington. It was one of the first big foreign policy tests for Lee, who took over a country in a state of political turmoil since its former leader, Yoon Suk Yeol, was ousted from office after imposing martial law.
Collection
[
|
...
]