South Korea president calls for military independence in wake of Trump call to cut joint drills

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for a faster pace in gaining military independence from the United States following President Donald Trump's directive to reduce joint military drills. Trump informed the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" the week's joint exercises with South Korea, stating the North Korean regime had been "unthreatening and respectful" and that he had a "very good relationship with Kim Jong-un."

Lee emphasized in a cabinet meeting that a strong alliance with the US enhances security, while also stressing the need for South Korea to bolster its own capabilities for self-defense. This push for independence stems from the Korean War armistice, which has left the two Koreas technically at war since 1953. The US has stationed troops in South Korea since then, including at Camp Humphreys, the largest American military base outside the US.

Wartime operational control, or Opcon, of South Korean forces has been under US command since the war began, overseen by the head of the Combined Forces Command, a position traditionally held by an American four-star general. Seoul regained peacetime control of its military in 1994, but reclaiming wartime Opcon remains a key security goal for South Korea, repeatedly postponed under various administrations.

The recently postponed joint drills were intended to verify South Korea's readiness to assume wartime Opcon, a process Lee has advocated for intensification during his tenure. He also called for quicker progress on the development of nuclear-powered submarines and officers capable of integrated operations in future conflicts.

The renewed emphasis on military independence follows Trump's order to cut the planned 10-day Ulchi Freedom Shield drills that began on Monday. The exercises, involving around 18,000 South Korean troops, US forces, and personnel from 11 UN Command member states, were to test South Korea's readiness to take over wartime Opcon. Trump described North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's response to his order as "very positive" and claimed their relationship reduced tensions, without providing further details.