Lee says respects Trump's decision to promote dialogue with N.K. through scaled-back military exercises

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has expressed respect for U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to reduce South Korea-U.S. military exercises as a means of fostering dialogue with North Korea. In a post on his X account, Lee commented on the announcement, stating that he shared Trump's commitment to creating conditions for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

He acknowledged that the decision to scale back the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise was a significant move reflecting the seriousness with which Trump approached the pursuit of peace.

Lee emphasized that South Korea, which believes that the ideal security asset is a regime in which there is no need to fight, respects Trump's efforts and expressed his hope that the decision would ultimately lead to a stable peace regime on the peninsula. He also vowed to actively contribute to Trump's peace-promoting efforts, a role he proposed during their first summit last year.

The decision to reduce military exercises has been interpreted by some as a response to Seoul's perceived reluctance to assist the U.S. in its war with Iran. Trump had reportedly inquired about South Korea's interest in joining the effort to denuclearize Iran during their conversation, to which South Korea had reportedly responded negatively.

In his X post, Lee addressed this remark by stating that the South Korean government has consistently expressed its willingness to actively participate in international efforts to restore free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. He reiterated the government's commitment to maintaining close communication with the U.S. regarding various ways it can contribute to peace-building, within the limits of South Korean laws and policies. Lee expressed his anticipation of meeting with Trump again in the near future.