ISTANBUL 

US President Donald Trump questioned South Korea's internal stability Monday ahead of his White House meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.

"WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. "We can't have that and do business there."

South Korea's presidential office said it is checking the situation following Trump's remarks, according to Yonhap News Agency.

- Political crisis

Trump's comments referred to South Korea's recent political upheaval following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and removal from office. Yoon's December 2024 martial law declaration triggered public outrage and deep political turmoil.

The Constitutional Court unanimously upheld Yoon's impeachment on April 4, officially removing him from the post. South Korea subsequently experienced instability with multiple acting presidents amid political infighting.

A snap presidential election held on June 3 brought Lee of the Democratic Party to power.

This trip marks Lee's first meeting with Trump, 82 days after taking office.

- Bilateral summit agenda

The White House's scheduled bilateral meeting and lunch will focus on multiple strategic issues. Lee indicated he would address Washington's demand for strategic flexibility for 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea, calling it difficult to agree on but acknowledging necessary discussions.

The South Korean president emphasized North Korea as a priority, planning to discuss his three-stage denuclearization plan aimed at persuading Pyongyang to freeze, reduce and eventually dismantle its nuclear weapons program.

The summit will also cover defense cost-sharing, security arrangements and tariff negotiations.