Washington, D.C. — August 26, 2025
U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Monday said he hoped to hold another meeting this year with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, as he welcomed South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung to the White House for his first official visit.
The meeting began under a cloud after Trump earlier posted on social media that “it seems like a Purge or Revolution” was underway in South Korea, citing reports of raids allegedly involving churches. The allegation has not been independently verified, and during the Oval Office talks Trump described the claim as “a misunderstanding” based on rumors.
Despite the initial tension, the talks turned cordial, with President Lee praising U.S.–South Korea relations and reaffirming his support for diplomacy over confrontation on the Korean Peninsula. Trump said he believed he and Lee were “on the same page” regarding engagement with Pyongyang.
The White House said discussions covered North Korea, regional security, and trade ties, marking the first major bilateral summit between the two leaders.
