D. Trump criticized South Korea during a press conference, recalling details of a conversation with the country’s president when he allegedly asked for help in the fight against Iran. Meanwhile, Seoul refused to join.
As the American leader recounted, he reminded his colleague that there are currently 39,000 American troops in South Korea who “defend you from Kim Jong Un.”
He then raised doubts about whether the U.S. should continue helping South Korea, as the country’s protection costs the U.S. billions of dollars.
“To better understand the situation with South Korea, look: we have protected South Korea for many, many years, and during my first term, they agreed to pay almost $3 billion per year for protection because we… you know, basically they weren’t paying,” he said, although CNN noted that such claims are false.
D. Trump also implied that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has already responded to his proposal to hold talks,
In response to a journalist’s question about why the North Korean leader had not commented on Trump’s call for talks, the White House chief replied, “How do you know he hasn’t responded?”
The U.S. president noted that he received a response but did not disclose further details. At the same time, he assured that he maintains good relations with Kim Jong Un.
“I understand him, he understands me… He didn’t like Biden, didn’t like Obama, didn’t like anyone, but I get along very well with him. Kim Jong Un has always treated me with great respect,” said D. Trump.
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It is worth noting that the foundation of the U.S. and South Korea defense alliance and protection is the Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1953, after the Korean War ended. It obliges both countries to provide assistance to each other if an armed external attack occurs on the Korean Peninsula.
On Monday, it was announced that D. Trump instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to significantly reduce the scale of joint military exercises with South Korea.
The reason for this decision was cited as “very good relations with Kim Jong Un.” The exercises were scheduled for August 17–27, so the White House chief explained that, considering it was already too late to cancel them entirely, he decided to shorten them.
Earlier, North Korea accused the United States of provoking a new nuclear arms race and condemned the planned joint military exercises between Washington and Seoul. Pyongyang emphasized that it reserves the right to strengthen its military potential in response to external threats.
Warned about the “worst-case scenario”
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated on Tuesday that maintaining peace is “the most important thing” for the country, but it must prepare for the “worst-case scenario.”
His comments came after U.S. President D. Trump instructed the defense minister to “significantly reduce” joint exercises with Seoul to avoid “sending a completely inappropriate and hostile signal” to North Korea.
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