Trump says South Korea political crisis bad for business

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
25 Aug 2025 19:23
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As South Korea faces political turmoil following the impeachment and arrest of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, Donald Trump warns that ongoing instability could jeopardize US-South Korea relations.

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Members of civic group shout slogans next to pictures of US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during a rally ahead of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's visit to Japan in Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 22, 2025. (AP)

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that continued political instability in South Korea could jeopardize bilateral economic ties, citing concerns over what he described as “a Purge or Revolution” in the country.

“WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We can't have that and do business there. I am seeing the new President today at the White House,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, without specifying the events he was referring to.

Lee Jae-myung to meet Trump for alliance talks

Trump’s remarks came just hours before a scheduled summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Washington. The two leaders are expected to focus on “modernizing the alliance,” a phrase widely interpreted to mean enhancing joint defense capabilities and discussing the division of defense spending.

Earlier in the day, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett confirmed that the US hopes to finalize a trade agreement with South Korea during Lee’s visit.

Martial aw, impeachment, and the Yoon Seok-yeol case

South Korea has been grappling with a deepening political crisis stemming from the actions of former President Yoon Seok-yeol. On December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law, accusing the opposition of colluding with the DPRK and plotting a rebellion. The South Korean parliament overturned the declaration within hours, prompting Yoon to comply and publicly apologize.

On December 14, lawmakers impeached Yoon over the martial law move. Legal proceedings have followed, with a Seoul court issuing an arrest warrant for Yoon on July 10, 2025. He was taken into custody for the second time, following a previous detention in January. He had been released in March after a court rejected a request to extend his detention.

The crisis widened on August 12 when the court issued an arrest warrant for Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, on charges related to corruption. Both she and the former president remain under investigation, further destabilizing the domestic political climate as South Korea navigates a leadership transition under President Lee.

Trump’s latest comments add pressure to the upcoming summit, where the future of the US-South Korea alliance and ongoing trade negotiations may be influenced by Washington’s view of Seoul’s internal stability.