In cutting joint drills, Trump has given South Korea’s president what he wants. So why does Seoul look so uneasy?
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's push for military independence has been partially realized by Donald Trump's decision to cut joint military drills. However, the abrupt nature of the announcement has caused unease and political friction within South Korea.
Why it matters
This shift highlights the complex and often unpredictable nature of US-South Korea security alliances and the internal political tensions regarding North Korean engagement.
South Korean president Lee Jae Myung speaks to Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office in August last year. Lee has long wanted greater military independence from the US. South Korean president Lee Jae Myung speaks to Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office in August last year. Lee has long wanted greater military independence from the US. South Korea Analysis In cutting joint drills, Trump has given South Korea’s president what he wants. So why does Seoul look so uneasy? Raphael Rashid in Seoul President Lee Jae Myung has long pushed for stronger homegrown defences, yet Donald Trump’s move has sparked alarm in some quarters
At their first summit , in August last year, South Korean president Lee Jae Myung told Donald Trump: “If you, Mr President, become the peacemaker, then I will assist you as the pacemaker.”
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in