Trump elaborated later Monday that he was referring to raids on churches and on a U.S. military base by the new South Korean government, which they “probably shouldn't have done,” the president argued.

South Korea has long come under targeted criticism from Trump, who has called it a "money machine" that takes advantage of American military protection.

The US president says it "seems like a Purge or Revolution" in South Korea, as President Lee visits the White House.