South Korean FM says Trump pressuring Seoul over Iran, investment

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun revealed on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump's demand to reduce joint military drills may have been partially intended to persuade Seoul to back US actions in the Iran conflict, alongside other unresolved matters like investment. Cho suggested that Trump's comments encompass pressure on multiple pending issues related to the South Korean government, a message to North Korea, and a US strategy to break a deadlock in the Iran war.

One potential point of contention may be South Korea's commitment to invest $350 billion in the US through a trade agreement signed last year. Cho stated that Seoul has not yet disclosed specifics of the investment plan, explaining that considerations such as commercial viability and legal procedures have delayed progress. Other unforeseen obstacles were also mentioned, though Cho did not provide further details.

Additionally, South Korea and the US announced on Wednesday that they will shorten annual military drills from 11 days to five, and scale back some field training, in response to Trump's directive for a significant reduction in US involvement. Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, who participated in the same hearing, believes Trump's move might facilitate a fresh meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as the drills have frequently infuriated Pyongyang.