Hours before South Korean president Lee Jae Myung was due to meet US president Donald Trump, a Truth Social post dropped. Beginning with WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? the post then referred to a Purge or Revolution - which many read as a reference to the prosecution of former president Yoon Suk Yeol who unsuccessfully attempted to impose martial law last December.

Speaking in the Oval Office before the meeting, Trump also alleged that Seoul had conducted raids on churches and done very bad things. However, Lee, a seasoned politician, turned on the charm and averted fears of a repeat of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky or South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, both of whom faced awkward moments during previous high-level talks.

Praise was exchanged as Lee expressed admiration for the new Oval Office decor and hinted at the potential for a Trump Tower in North Korea, showcasing his hope for improved relations. Trump, in turn, echoed Lee's sentiments emphasizing that the US and South Korea need each other when it comes to trade, solidifying a strong bilateral relationship.

As the meeting neared an end, Trump addressed his earlier controversial statements, suggesting they were likely a misunderstanding, thus smoothing over any potential diplomatic fallout. This encounter not only highlights Lee's diplomatic finesse but also reinforces South Korea's strategic importance in regional geopolitics.