U.S. President Donald Trump presents the "President's Cup" to the Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament winner, Asanoyama, at Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium in Tokyo, May 26. AP

By Oh Young-jin

In South Korea, one big political circus is under way about and over U.S. President Donald Trump, who happens to be visiting neighboring Japan. From its timing, this circs appears to have a target audience of one ― Trump.

Trump's three-day visit has been highlighted by a round of golf with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and watching a traditional sumo wrestling match from a ringside seat (Abe had a chair installed for Trump), topped by dinner at a traditional restaurant with their wives. Trump became the first foreign head of state to meet Japan's new emperor, Naruhito.

Here on this side of the East Sea, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae and political parties are locked in a fierce battle over the disclosure of contents of a 35-minute telephone conversation between President Moon Jae-in and Trump on May 7 following North Korea's multiple short-range missile firing May 4.

On May 9, Rep. Khang Hyo-shang of the main conservative opposition Liberty Korea Party told a press conference that Moon asked Trump to drop by when he visited Japan toward the end of May. Khang also said Moon rejected U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton's visit to Seoul in May. Cheong Wa Dae denied Khang's claims.

A probe began, ferreting out a senior diplomat stationed in Washington, D.C. as the person who leaked the contents to the lawmaker. The two graduated from the same high school and Khang was senior to the diplomat.

The diplomat was called in and faced a disciplinary committee. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told reporters that the ministry concluded that the diplomat was the leaker and would be punished accordingly.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea filed a complaint against Khang, while calling for the LKD to kick out Khang and talking about the Democratic Party's intention to strip him of his status as a lawmaker.