US President Donald Trump made controversial statements and raised questions about South Korea just hours before welcoming its new president, Yoon Jae-myung, at the White House. Trump reiterated his desire to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He posted on Truth Social, “What is going on in South Korea? It looks like a purge or revolution. You can’t do that and do business there,” referring to raids targeting churches linked to the controversial Unification Church, which authorities are investigating for corruption and offering luxury gifts to prominent political figures.

Trump said he would raise this issue during talks with Yoon Jae-myung at the White House, adding, “I’ve heard bad things. I don’t know if they’re true or not. I will check it out.”

Last month, South Korea saw raids on sites linked to the Unification Church, a religious movement founded by Sun Myung Moon in 1954, known for organizing mass weddings.

Trump went further by suggesting that the US should own the land where its military bases in South Korea are located, considering that Washington has spent billions on fortifications.

He told reporters he knows North Korean leader Kim “better than almost anyone,” confirming that Kim – whom he met three times during his first term – “was very good to him,” adding, “One day I will see him. I look forward to meeting him.”

He noted that North Korea has launched fewer missiles since his return to the White House in January.

These developments come amid a political crisis in South Korea, where former President Yoon Suk-yeol faces legal charges of abuse of power and attempting a coup against civilian rule, while far-right religious leaders face accusations of inciting violence.

Last year, during his election campaign, Trump stated that if he returned to the White House, he would ask Seoul to pay billions annually to host US forces.

Last year, the allies signed a new five-year agreement on sharing the cost of stationing US forces in South Korea, with Seoul agreeing to increase its contribution by 8.3% to 1.52 trillion won (1.1 billion dollars) by 2026.

US forces in South Korea declined to comment on the report, saying any statement should come from Washington.