South Korean President Lee Jae Myung vowed to target "far-right" critics at home and abroad after his White House summit with Donald Trump, raising concerns over transnational repression and U.S.–ROK relations.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pledged this week to go after “far-right” critics both at home and abroad, following his recent White House summit with President Trump. The move has raised alarm among U.S. officials over potential infringement on free expression and transnational repression tactics.

Lee met with Trump on Aug. 25 at the White House to discuss trade, defense, shipbuilding and other strategic issues. But tensions were visible — Lee stayed at a hotel instead of the traditional Blair House, was greeted by lower-level officials, and left without attending a formal state dinner.

  • brucethemoose@lemmy.worldEnglish
    28·
    18 hours ago

    Y’all read the thing?

    Subsequently, Lee issued an arrest warrant for a pastor linked to the People Power Party, dismissed all seven four-star generals, and went on the offensive against critics, including Americans. His administration referred six U.S. nationals to prosecutors for sending rice and Bibles to North Korea in June. Their actions were described as aligning with “far-right” ideologies, although critics say these characterizations echo authoritarian sentiments not suited to a U.S. ally.

    At the national security level, director Wi Sung-lac pledged to identify networks—both domestic and international—that he alleged misinformed President Trump, contributing to his comments about political “purges.” Gordon Chang, a prominent China critic and American, was labeled a conspiracist.

    I mean, that’s a lot. I know they just had an almost-coup, but still.

    It’s clear that “free speech” as it exists is busted and just lets cults snowball on social media. At the same time, these same government levers are dangerous, as is clearly seen in history and other current places in the world.

    …I don’t know a solution, really. Well, other than freaking reigning in Big Tech so conspiracy breeding grounds wouldn’t be so ridiculously fertile, but apparently that’s impossible.