Donald Trump said in a Fox News interview aired Sunday that he would "remember" South Korea's refusal to help the United States in its war with Iran. The primetime remarks, on "Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy," came as he complained that the United States spends billions of dollars helping other countries without receiving enough support in return, the Korea Times reported.
What did he say about South Korea? "We got very little help from other countries," Trump said, before pointing specifically to South Korea. "We helped them, but when it came to helping us, I didn't put on a heavy sell, but I just said, 'Would you like to participate?' and they all said, 'No, thank you,'" he said. "And I said, 'I'm going to remember that to myself.'" He went on to question whether the United States should keep spending money to help countries unwilling to reciprocate: "When they're not willing to go for you, you just can't be a stupid person and help them."
How did he tie it to the US troop presence? Later in the interview, Trump returned to South Korea and put the American military presence there at "40,000 soldiers," while the Korea Times reported that about 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in the country. He recalled asking Seoul to "give us a little hand with Iran" and said the answer was, "Well, we'd rather not." He said he replied, "OK, thank you very much. I appreciate it," before adding, "But I think you have to remember this stuff. I really do."
Has he raised the issue before? Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration with South Korea in recent months over what he sees as Seoul's failure to support Washington's efforts against Iran, the Korea Times reported. Earlier in August, he raised South Korea's refusal again while announcing that he had ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce planned joint military exercises with Seoul, though he described the two matters as "somewhat unrelated." South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Aug. 18 that it had no knowledge of a phone conversation in which President Lee Jae Myung turned down a request from Trump for help in the Iran war.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
