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

US President Donald Trump praised North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, stressing their strong “personal relationship” as central to reducing tensions.

We can do big progress with North Korea,” Trump said at the White House on Monday alongside Lee. The South Korean leader launched a charm offensive on Trump, praising stock-market gains, the gold finishes he added to the Oval Office and his peacekeeping efforts,