[COLUMN] Trump-Kim deal at South Korea's expense?
Washington voiced displeasure; Seoul responded with respect. Few scenes better capture the disconnect in the U.S.-South Korea alliance. President Donald Trump ordered a major reduction in joint U.S.-South Korea military drills, saying they cost too much and send a hostile signal to North Korea. He made no secret of his displeasure with South Korea for not supporting U.S. military action against…
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The recent meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has left many questioning the true intentions behind the truce. While Trump praised the deal as an effort for peace, South Korea responded with a mixture of respect and concern. Critics argue that Trump's decision to reduce joint U.S.-South Korea military drills, which they deem costly and hostile to North Korea, undermines South Korea's defense capabilities.
This decision comes after South Korea's president, Lee Jae-myung, emphasized self-reliant defense and vowed to regain wartime operational control within his term. South Korea's stance has been met with skepticism, as Pyongyang's leader Kim Yo-jong mocked Seoul's claims of defense capability, emphasizing the potential shift in the Northeast Asian balance of power.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- South Korea and US vow close cooperation on North Korea channelnewsasia.com
- [COLUMN] Trump-Kim deal at South Korea's expense? koreatimes.co.kr
- South Korea pledges to help Trump revive talks with North Korea’s Kim scmp.com
