**WASHINGTON** — U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized South Korea on Monday, stating that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung declined a U.S. request for assistance in a military operation against Iran.
Speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C., Trump said he called the South Korean leader to ask for a “little hand” with Iran, emphasizing that the United States did not require outside help. According to Trump, the South Korean President responded, “No, thanks,” and stated that Seoul did not wish to get involved in the Iran conflict.
Trump questioned the rationale behind the U.S. military presence in South Korea following the response.
“I said, ‘Well, wait a minute, we have 39,000 soldiers over there guarding you from Kim Jong Un, your next-door neighbour, and you’re not going to help us on a very easy military operation in Iran? That’s strange,'” Trump told reporters. He added, “I said, ‘Well, why are we involved in helping you?'”
While stating that he still wants to help South Korea, Trump criticized the financial burden placed on Washington to protect international allies, noting that it costs billions of dollars. He also pointed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), stating that the U.S. spends hundreds of billions of dollars on the alliance.
In response to the developments, South Korea announced on Monday that it is closely consulting with the United States on ways to make practical and military contributions to international discussions regarding a ceasefire in Iran and efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Yonhap News Agency.
Separately, Trump announced on Truth Social that he has instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea. Citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Trump described the drills as costly and said they send a signal that is “totally inappropriate and hostile” to North Korea, which he claimed has been unthreatening and respectful during his presidency. Trump stated it was too late to cancel the exercises entirely, leading to the directive for a substantial reduction.
Article and image source: northkoreatimes.com
