U.S. President Donald Trump publicly expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that South Korea and major allies such as NATO refused requests for military support related to Iran despite receiving U.S. security assistance.
In an interview on Fox News’ program “Sunday Night in America,” which aired on the 30th (local time), President Trump said, “The United States is spending billions of dollars to help NATO and other countries, but in return, it is receiving very little help,” and pointed to South Korea as a representative example. President Trump said, “We asked the countries we had helped whether they would participate, but they all declined,” adding, “In South Korea’s case, with 40,000 U.S. troops stationed there, we requested support related to Iran, but it was refused.” Although the actual number of U.S. troops in South Korea is about 28,500, President Trump, as in the past, exaggerated the figure to “40,000.” He added, “I said, ‘I understand, thank you very much,’ but this matter should be remembered,” and argued, “We cannot just foolishly help a country that has no intention of stepping up for us.”
This is interpreted as a remark targeting once again the fact that, in March, the request to dispatch warships to major countries including South Korea for the Strait of Hormuz escort operation was not fulfilled as intended. Earlier, on the 16th, President Trump also revealed that he had ordered a reduction in the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises on the grounds of South Korea’s nonparticipation in the Iran war, thereby increasing pressure on its allies. Regarding the situation in the Iran war, President Trump said, “If I were not president, Israel and the Middle East would already be destroyed,” and assessed, “With the U.S. naval blockade and financial damage, Iran’s navy, air force, leadership, and air defense network have been completely annihilated.” He went on to emphasize, “A simple paper signature is not needed, and we will secure the victory at the appropriate time.” He also criticized Canada, with which trade tensions have arisen, saying, “Canada runs a deficit of $60 billion (about 82 trillion won) every year,” and added, “Canada is not a state in the United States, so why should it be given subsidies?” Reporter Park Sang-kyung, Hankyung.com highseoul@hankyung.com
Trump has been continuously complaining based on falsehoods.
There is absolutely no reason for us to comply.
Trump will simply continue making unreasonable advances toward the Americans.
All I keep seeing is his clearly political limitations, We will need to prepare in our own way.
