U.S. President Donald Trump expressed displeasure with Korea, which has not yet responded to a request to dispatch troops, saying he would have European and Asian countries manage the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran is effectively blockading.
On the 1st (local time), President Trump, hosting an Easter luncheon at the White House, said, "Let European countries do it (manage the Strait of Hormuz). Let Korea do it." Aiming at Korea, he added, "We have 45,000 troops right next to the nuclear force (North Korea), and it still didn't help us."
The remarks are interpreted as asserting that, despite the United States stationing U.S. Forces Korea for defense against the North, Korea did not cooperate with requests such as dispatching warships and troops. However, the number of U.S. troops currently deployed on the Korean Peninsula is around 28,000, suggesting President Trump cited an inflated figure.
President Trump continued a series of criticisms targeting Asian countries. He said, "Let Japan do it. They get 90% of their oil from the (Hormuz) Strait," and added, "Let China do it. Let them do it."