President Trump opened Monday’s summit with South Korea’s new leader with a blunt warning, casting the nation’s internal shake-up as a “Purge or Revolution.” His social media declaration—“WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We can’t have that and do business there”—set a hard tone for his meeting with President Lee Jae-Myung hours later.
At stake is more than diplomatic theater. This summit tests whether U.S.–South Korea relations can withstand political turmoil across the Pacific. Trump had earlier hammered home the consequences for instability, signaling that economic ties and defense cooperation rely on steady governance. With Seoul facing trade tensions, rocky leadership transitions, and the rise of a liberal government, Trump’s posture reflects a security-first mindset that values reliable allies above empty goodwill.
Despite the frictions, Lee arrives with incentives. South Korea secured a trimmed tariff deal—15%, rather than the punitive 25% once threatened—and is dangling a “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again” offer valued at $150 billion to boost U.S. maritime manufacturing. Still, the question remains whether symbolism and economics can overcome doubts about political stability.
The White House and Seoul both say discussions will involve strategic cooperation—from semiconductors to troop realignment—but underlying skepticism remains. Trump has long demanded fairer burden-sharing. South Korea, balancing its alliance with its largest trading partner, China, risks appearing destabilized or unreliable. That’s a poor trait in a world where strength and clarity inspire confidence, not confusion.
This meeting isn’t just protocol—it’s a reminder that alliances must be earned and maintained through steady leadership, shared priorities, and honest exchanges. Stability isn’t a bonus—it’s the currency of credibility, especially when taxpayers foot the bill.
