South Korean President Calls for Enhanced Defense After U.S. Reduces Joint Drills
President Lee Jae Myung urged South Korea to strengthen its independent military capabilities following President Donald Trump's order to scale back U.S. participation in the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung told his cabinet on Tuesday that the country should boost its own defence capacities after President Donald Trump announced a substantial reduction in U.S. involvement in the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills. The statement came a day after the exercises began and followed Trump’s social-media post directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to cut U.S. participation.
Lee described the drills as purely defensive and said a strong alliance depends on both partners’ capabilities. > "A strong alliance makes the foundation of security stronger, and strengthening our own capabilities increases our value and necessity as an ally," he said.
He added that while maintaining peace with North Korea remains a top priority, South Korea must be ready for a worst-case scenario and cited plans to expand its nuclear-powered submarine fleet among other measures.
U.S. officials and South Korean officials noted Trump’s comments about his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his criticism of the joint exercises as costly and provocative. South Korea’s national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said the administration hopes the U.S.–North Korea dialogue could become more constructive.