US President Donald Trump has criticised South Korea for declining to help the United States secure the Strait of Hormuz, while questioning large-scale military exercises involving North Korea.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said he was unhappy with Seoul’s decision despite South Korea relying heavily on oil supplies passing through the strategic waterway. He said the US had asked South Korea for assistance but received a refusal.
Trump linked South Korea’s position on Hormuz to his concerns over military exercises on the Korean Peninsula. He questioned the need for large-scale drills involving North Korea while he was trying to maintain relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump said he had a good relationship with Kim and contrasted it with the North Korean leader’s reported ties with previous US presidents. He argued that his personal rapport with Kim had helped reduce tensions and made the US and its Asian allies, including South Korea and Japan, safer.
Asked whether denuclearisation remained his objective in engaging with Kim, Trump did not answer directly. Instead, he reiterated that he maintained a strong relationship with the North Korean leader and said the two had held productive meetings and remained in contact.
Trump criticised military exercises that North Korea could view as preparations for conflict. He argued that such drills could undermine efforts to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Trump said he expected no major conflict with North Korea while in office, citing his ties with Kim, but gave no details on diplomatic talks. He further claimed North Korea had about 57 nuclear weapons and was expanding its programme, without providing evidence.
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