Seoul, recalling the unpredictability of President Trump’s first term, viewed his return to the White House with caution rather than despair. Trump has repeatedly described South Korea as a “rich” country or a “money machine”, complaining that while the US is responsible for its defense, South Korea has been free-riding and not contributing its fair share. He even went so far as to claim that, despite being an American ally, Seoul has been exploiting Washington — benefiting from large trade surpluses by engaging in unfair trade practices and imposing tariffs four times higher than those of the US.
Unfortunately, Seoul found itself ill-prepared when the second Trump administration was inaugurated in January, due to unprecedented domestic political turmoil. President Yoon Suk Yeol, now ousted from office, abruptly declared martial law in early December 2024, claiming that extraordinary measures were inevitable in response to what he saw as widespread legislative ‘abuse of power’ by the dominant opposition party, which held nearly two-thirds of the seats in the Korean National Assembly. Yoon's martial law was short-lived and overturned within hours; he was immediately impeached and ultimately removed from office by the Constitutional Court in early April. In the aftermath of the impeachment, South Korea plunged into political turmoil, with the acting presidency changing hands three times. A by-election was eventually held, and on 3 June 2025, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the left-leaning opposition, was elected president.　
Seoul now finds itself at a critical crossroads in its seventy-year alliance with Washington. The newly elected Lee Jae-myung administration faces a series of challenges: securing a trade and tariff agreement, redefining ties with a more demanding Trump administration, and recalibrating South Korea’s broader security and economic partnership with its most vital ally.

1. Trade Talks and Tough Choices

2. Risks of Renewed Engagement with North Korea

3. Shifting Alliances and Strategic Uncertainty