US President Donald Trump has expressed concerns over investigations in South Korea targeting churches and a military base, stating he will seek more information from the South Korean government.
Trump made these comments ahead of a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House, saying, “Police probably shouldn’t have done that, but I heard bad things”.
Seoul police raided Sarang Jeil Church earlier this month, investigating pro-Yoon activists who stormed a court in January. The church is headed by evangelical preacher Jun Kwang-hoon, a supporter of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Special prosecutors investigating Yoon’s declaration of martial law served a search warrant on a jointly operated US-South Korean military base in July. The search was reportedly conducted without US authority coordination.
Trump posted on Truth Social, questioning the situation in South Korea and suggesting it resembles a “purge or revolution”. He emphasized the need for clarity, given the countries’ business relations.
Trump’s meeting with President Lee Jae Myung will likely focus on these pressing issues, with implications for US-South Korea relations. For now, the US administration is seeking more information on the investigations and their potential impact on bilateral ties .