South Korea’s President fears ‘Zelenskyy moment’ in meeting with Trump

Elected in June, Lee said that his staff “were worried that we might face a ‘Zelenskyy moment’” during his first meeting with Trump at the White House on August 25. The concern was fueled by Trump’s sharp social media posts questioning democracy in South Korea.

However, Lee stressed that he did not expect a scenario similar to that faced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly confronted him live on air.

“That’s because I had read President Trump’s book, ‘The Art of the Deal’,” South Korea’s new President explained.

How White House meeting goes

According to Lee, his conversation with Trump turned out “beyond my expectations.” South Korea’s new President received encouragement from the US leader, and the meeting lasted longer than planned.

Ahead of the talks, Trump sought to add drama.

“WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution,” Trump posted in Truth Social.

The US President also later told reporters that he had “heard bad things” about the political situation in Seoul.

Nevertheless, the negotiations focused on strengthening economic ties and renewing the bilateral alliance in light of new security challenges.

Agreement and disputes

Lee did not disclose details of the arrangements but recalled the trade deal signed in July. It provides for a 15% tariff on Korean goods in exchange for over $350 billion in investments and $100 billion in energy purchases.

On Monday, Trump said Seoul had sought to change some terms, but the US stood firm. The White House stated it intended to finalize the deal as agreed.

Major investments

After the meeting, American corporations began announcing large-scale projects with South Korean partners.

• Amazon will invest $50 billion with Korean companies in the development of small nuclear reactors through the startup X-energy.
• Boeing and GE Aerospace signed a $50 billion contract with Korean Air for 103 Boeing aircraft.

In addition, on August 26, Lee is scheduled to visit a shipyard in Philadelphia recently acquired by a South Korean company. Washington believes such investments can revive the US industry.

“The K-shipbuilding industry, equipped with the world’s strongest capabilities, will bring about a renaissance of the US shipbuilding industry and create a new historic turning point for mutual prosperity,” South Korea’s President emphasized.

Military alliance and balancing with China

Furthermore, the South Korean leader underlined the strategic importance of military cooperation with the US in deterring North Korea’s nuclear threat. Lee stressed that Seoul would not develop its own nuclear weapons but warned that Pyongyang’s intercontinental missile ambitions posed a global challenge.

At the same time, South Korea’s President avoided harsh statements about China. He emphasized that despite US pressure over exports and supply chains, South Korea does not intend to sever relations with Beijing.

Earlier, Donald Trump said he wants to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2025.

Dispute at White House

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington on February 28 for a meeting with Trump. During a press session in the Oval Office, Zelenskyy, Trump, and US Vice President J.D. Vance clashed. Zelensky left the White House without signing a mineral resources agreement.

Vance claimed that Ukraine lacked manpower to fight Russia and that the country supposedly cannot recruit soldiers into the army.

Trump, for his part, insisted that Ukraine did not have “the cards.”

The US President also repeated false claims that Washington had given Ukraine $350 billion in military aid and argued that without such support, Russia’s war against Ukraine would have ended within two weeks.