U.S. President Donald Trump again singled out South Korea, taking issue with what he called the "passive stance" of European and Asian allies over a military response to Iran. He again publicly expressed displeasure that Seoul did not accept the request for military support in the Strait of Hormuz.
At a White House news conference on the 6th, local time, President Trump said, "It's not just the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)," then cited South Korea, Australia, and Japan in turn and said they were not helping. Trump said, "We have 45,000 U.S. troops stationed to protect South Korea from North Korea's Kim Jong-un, but they did not help us." The remarks are seen as pressuring South Korea's role by mentioning the stationing of U.S. Forces Korea.
His comments appear to extend his displeasure that, last month, the United States asked allies to send warships to defend the Strait of Hormuz, but South Korea did not present a clear position. Since the war with Iran began, Trump has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea.
He also referred to his relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong-un, saying, "I get along with him very well, and he likes me." He added, "If any past U.S. president had done the job properly, Kim Jong-un would not have nuclear weapons now." Trump believes that countries like South Korea and Japan, which receive oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, a global oil shipping route, should play a bigger role in reopening it.
In Washington's diplomatic circles, Trump's remarks are seen not merely as an expression of displeasure but as a pressure message aimed at expanding allies' military and diplomatic burdens amid rising tensions in the Middle East.