President Donald Trump took to social media before meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday to threaten not to do business with Seoul because of a “Purge or Revolution” that he claimed was taking place in the country.
But any prospect of a hostile Oval Office meeting evaporated after Lee heaped praise onto the U.S. president — lauding the decor, beseeching Trump to continue to help with Korean peace efforts and even suggesting a Trump Tower in North Korea.
“We've known each other and gotten along very well,” Trump said. After running down the agenda for the summit, Trump added: “It's a great honor to be with you and congratulations on your election. That was a big one, and we're with you 100%.”
Lee, elected in June, began by praising one of Trump's pet projects: presidential interior design.
“I heard that you recently redecorated the Oval Office, and I would like to say that it looks very bright and beautiful,” Lee said through an interpreter. “It has the dignity of America, and it symbolizes the new future and prosperity of America.”
Lee raised the prospect of a Korean "Trump Tower" and golf in North Korea as he asked Trump "for your role in establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula."