Trump says Korea 'not helpful,' cites U.S. troops near 'nuclear force' on peninsula

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at Verst Logistics in Hebron, Kentucky, on March 11. [AP/YONHAP]

 
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Korea was "not helpful" to the United States, noting the presence of American troops "in harm's way" in the Asian country "right next to a nuclear force," as he highlighted the need for countries to secure the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
 
Trump made the remarks during an annual Easter luncheon at the White House, singling out Korea, China, Japan and France as he reiterated that those countries that rely on the strait for energy imports should act to help reopen the waterway, a crucial oil shipping route.
 

Related Article

• Kospi surge triggers sidecar after Trump signals swift end to war

• Trump tells countries to 'go get your own oil” from the Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

• Trump says U.S. will be leaving Iran 'very soon'

• Kospi opens markedly lower after Trump renews threats against Iran

• Trump threatens to 'obliterate' Iran's Kharg Island, power plants if deal is not reached 'shortly'

"Let the European countries do it. Let South Korea, who was not helpful to us, by the way. [...] You know, we only have 45,000 soldiers in harm's way over there, right next to a nuclear force. Let South Korea do it," he said.
 
Trump overstated the size of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) presence in his comments, as only about 28,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Korea.


Over the past decade, Trump has referred to the USFK presence as 28,000, 32,000, 40,000 and 45,000.
 
“Let Japan do it. They get 90 percent of the oil from the strait. Let China do it. Let them all do it," he added.
 
Trump's remarks came as he expressed his displeasure over U.S. allies' refusal to accede to his appeal to provide naval assistance to secure and police the strait, including sending warships to escort merchant vessels traversing the waterway that is responsible for about a fifth of the world's oil supply.
 

A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and a 3D printed miniature model depicting U.S. President Donald Trump are seen in this illustration taken March 23. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

 
The strait has effectively been choked off by Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks. The de facto closure of the strait has led to a rise in oil prices and deepened worries about the impact of the war among the United States, Israel and Iran on inflation and the overall global economy.
 
Trump has signaled a possible end to the war with Iran in "two or three weeks," spawning speculation that the conflict could wrap up even if the strait remains largely blocked.
 
On Tuesday, Trump said that the United States would not have anything to do with "what happens with the strait" while calling on countries — unable to import oil via the strait due to the war — to either buy oil from the United States or "go to the strait and just take it."
 
Trump plans to deliver an address to the nation on Wednesday evening, during which he could outline his plans for the war as well as the security issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. 

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG, YONHAP [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]