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🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

Is Donald Trump good for the Korean Peninsula?

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • Donald Trump scaled back major US-South Korea military exercises, citing costs and perceived hostility toward North Korea.
  • Trump also linked the decision to South Korea's perceived lack of support in the US-Iran conflict.
  • The move has drawn criticism from US policymakers concerned about weakening alliances and emboldening adversaries.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently reduced the scale of the annual joint military exercise between the United States and South Korea, citing the exercise's cost and its perceived hostile nature toward North Korea. Trump reportedly would have canceled the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield training entirely had it not already commenced.

He would have canceled it altogether if the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield training hadn’t already started.

— John FefferDescribing the extent of Donald Trump's dissatisfaction with the joint military exercise.

Trump further rationalized his decision by expressing dissatisfaction with South Korea's support for the U.S.-led action against Iran. He previously criticized Seoul for not sending warships to help open the Strait of Hormuz, noting, "Who else didn’t help us? South Korea." This statement contrasts sharply with North Korea's swift condemnation of the U.S. action against Iran, denouncing it as an "illegal and reckless act of aggression."

Despite North Korea's alignment with Iran and its consistent anti-American rhetoric, Trump continued to publicly proclaim his strong relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This was underscored by a social media post stating, "Kim Jong Un and I get along GREAT!" shortly before the decision to scale back the military drills.

The US president cited as the reasons for his action the cost of the exercise and the fact that it was 'totally inappropriate and hostile' toward North Korea.

— John FefferExplaining Donald Trump's stated justifications for scaling back the military drills.

Trump's actions have sparked outrage among U.S. policymakers and commentators. Senator Jack Reed criticized the move, warning that China and Russia are observing how easily the U.S. president abandons allies, which could embolden them in future confrontations. Shim Jae-yun of The Korea Times noted the potential danger of a weakened alliance with South Korea, suggesting it would leave a "far more dangerous legacy" than a televised handshake with Kim Jong-un.

Who else didn’t help us? South Korea.

— Donald TrumpExpressing dissatisfaction with South Korea's support during the US-Iran conflict.

This behavior is consistent with Trump's first term, during which he pursued a deal with North Korea and frequently criticized South Korea for insufficient contributions to the alliance. Despite these efforts, North Korea did not abandon its nuclear program, and joint military exercises continued. The current South Korean government, led by progressive President Lee Jae-myung, faces the challenge of navigating these shifting dynamics.

China and Russia are watching how easily this president abandons America’s allies, and they will remember it the next time they test us.

— Senator Jack ReedCriticizing Trump's actions for potentially undermining US alliances.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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