Lee Reaffirms US Alliance After Trump Orders Cuts to 11-Day Joint Drills
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 18
Lee Reaffirms US Alliance After Trump Orders Cuts to 11-Day Joint Drills
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 18
Summary
Lee Jae Myung told a Cabinet meeting that South Korea’s security is strongest when its U.S. alliance is solid, responding a day after Donald Trump abruptly ordered joint exercises scaled back.
Trump issued the order just before the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills began, citing his relationship with Kim Jong Un and Seoul’s refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran.
28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, and uncertainty over which parts of the 11-day drills will be reduced has deepened concern about the credibility of the U.S. nuclear umbrella.
North Korea called this year’s exercises provocative and threatened a stronger deterrent, while South Korean conservatives said Lee’s office was focusing too much on reviving Trump-Kim diplomacy.
Kim has avoided talks since 2019 and expanded ties with Russia and his nuclear arsenal, leaving analysts doubtful Trump’s outreach will quickly restart negotiations.