On its face this seems like a rather remarkable statement from President Trump. However, below the surface the geopolitical ramifications are perhaps not as surprising.
Today, President Trump notes the administration is shifting its position of military support toward South Korea.
PRESIDENT TRUMP – Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea. These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful. Therefore, and based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!
While somewhat unrelated (?), I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, “No thanks!” Thank you for your attention to this matter.” – President DONALD J. TRUMP
Implied directly within the last paragraph was President Trump resetting the relationship based on South Korea’s unwillingness to support the U.S. goals toward Iran.
In essence, if South Korea is unwilling to support the U.S. military operation and strategic objective, then the U.S. will -as previously announced toward NATO- reset the nature of the administration outlook. As a consequence, South Korea will no longer have the direct military assistance traditionally in place from the USA.
President Trump had previously hoped the relationship between North and South Korea would be healed and slowly the divisions between the Korean people would soften. This was a direct effort during the first Trump administration.
The U.S. retreating from South Korea changes the dynamic considerably, especially when you overlay the Chinese perspective toward the region and Beijing’s heavy hand operation inside the DPRK. The U.S. pulling back from South Korea is not something Chairman Xi would disfavor; in fact, it is something Xi would welcome.
This pushes Japan into the solid position as the U.S. number one ally in Asia. Obviously, South Korea becomes less valued.
There are increased indications that China is potentially moving to pull Taiwan closer into their control. The recent ‘Han Kuang exercise’ within Taiwan in preparation for direct Chinese takeover was met with a dismissive attitude by Beijing. However, it is also a factual reality that if China would make a military move against Taiwan the U.S. is not in a strong enough position to stop it.
There is more to this U.S-South Korea shift than appears on the surface.
Professional Republicans are going to go bananas.
[All these worlds are yours, except Japan – Attempt no landings there?]
Thank you, Sundance!
Thank you, dear President Trump, for being the most courageous and logical leaders EVAH!
Well now..
Having served in the western Pacific back in my military days. South Korea always struck me as strange. They live just south of an insane regime, one they are still technically at war with, one that has an untold number of vicious weapons pointed at them, where tens of thousands of people would die every hour if the war ever heated back up.
And yet, there seems to be absolute no awareness in the population of how much danger they’re in. It’s like they’ve lived under that shadow for so long that everyone has just forgotten about it. Electing a pro-CCP government is just one indication of that forgetfulness. It’s bizarre.
In SK for several exercises and SK didnt like US and (IMO) treated us poorly, but needed us for defense, in direct contrast to Australia. Ironically, now that SK is essentially CCP-led I would expect it to become closer to NK, not what was expected by DJT!
What happens as the US ability to defend SK shrinks and the US pulls back from joint exercises?
Same as elsewhere where the US is less able to defend and is pulling back: Ukraine, EU, middle East.
All part of managing the US decline.
What?! By concentration our dollars, energy, military assets, etc. back to our country and our true allies is a decline, then I say let’s do more of the decline. I for one would like to see my taxes decrease and other countries taxes for their defense increase. I’m tired of hearing the “reds are coming” from 6000 miles away! Let’s get our country back and reinvest in ourselves.
Nor was it expected in the Korean War
as u.s. leaders urged soldiers to fight the C enemy
( while the some soldiers asked themselves,
how did I get here
and
why am I here? )
Today some ask
where is NATO ?
near Iran?
near SK?
miss $narled up in ukr?
in Europe to stifle illegal imigrations?
Does the news cover it?
hmmm…
Similar to the Gimmydats in the U.S., who support pro-Muslim/Sharia candidates. Forgetfulness?…I think not.
Why is the election coup that installed a CCP puppet not part of this analysis?
If the majority of voters voted against the CCP puppet, how is this different then the majority of voters being against CCP puppet Biden that was installed through an election coup?
The analysis seems colorblind without this.
The current leader of South Korea is a China puppet
How is this going to work out if we want S. Korean shipyards buildong out ships? Will we have to do a thorough check for spying devices after they are constructed?
That thorough check should be done in any event.
The media will run with “its because the military is desperately trying to conserve ammo to feed its gulf quagmire“.
I think there is more than meets the eye here. Recent US treasury buys to purchase the yen (paid for by selling euros) is putting pressure on the yuan.
I’m no international finance whiz codger, but I believe this is all related somehow. I keep digging.
Love this. All the countries aligned(?) with us whine that they need our protection or our materiel but when push comes to shove they are feckless cowards. FAFO!
ROK are not cowards: you clearly do not know the ROK.
Bigger question to me seems “which US allies have lifted a finger in stopping Iran’s terrorism?” None? One? Many?
What have Japan done in that regard?
President Trump is sending a message, quite mildly: I’m curious to see the ROK reaction.
Curious to see if President sends any other of the balking allies any message.
South Korea has been cozying up to CCP China for years while our military has been providing a blanket of protection. Much like Europe and Russia dynamic. Time to leave them to their own devices.
I’ve been assisting with veteran health care access for 5 years. It is rare that I get a Korean vet, but it happens. Unlike the hens-teeth WWÌI vets that I may experience once a year, I may get 2-3 Korean war vets a year. Unlike the WWII vets with shell shock, they have a truly bizarre vibe that says they expect absolutely nothing but their family members know they paid dues. That conflict was a dispirate waste of our youth, a weakening with intent. McArthur was correct.