U.S. President Donald Trump expressed displeasure with South Korea during an Easter event at the White House on Tuesday, bringing up U.S. forces stationed in Korea and criticizing Seoul's lack of cooperation with Washington's request to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz. "Let the European countries do it. Let Korea do it," Trump said regarding lifting the Hormuz blockade. "They haven't been helpful. And we have 45,000 soldiers right next to [North Korea's] nuclear arsenal."
On March 17, Trump had also lashed out, saying "We don't need NATO's help. Same goes for Japan and Korea," but this marks the first time he has singled out South Korea by name. The concern is that once the Iran conflict ends, Trump may present Korea with an "Iran war bill" in future trade and security negotiations.
In a nationally televised address that drew global attention the same day, Trump again pressured allies including South Korea, saying, "Have the courage now to go to the Strait of Hormuz and take charge of managing it." He also said he would "strike Iran with extremely powerful blows over the next two to three weeks." While Trump could unilaterally declare an end to hostilities going forward, the trajectory of the war remains uncertain. Adding to this, the Trump administration has threatened to withdraw from NATO, accusing European nations of refusing to support U.S. military operations against Iran. The collective security framework of the free world is fracturing, accelerating an era of every-nation-for-itself.
Concerns have grown that the Trump administration may use South Korea's passive stance on troop deployment and the U.S. "security umbrella" as leverage to demand a reduction or restructuring of U.S. Forces Korea and a sharp increase in defense cost-sharing. The government must maintain the highest level of vigilance regarding the possibility of a U.S.-led alliance realignment and prepare comprehensive countermeasures. Trade pressure on manufacturing, digital services, and agricultural products such as rice and beef could intensify further. The government needs to move swiftly to finalize investment projects in the United States and increase imports of American energy to ease Washington's grievances. It must also explore multilateral cooperation and international coordination to normalize the Strait of Hormuz situation. It goes without saying that the fundamental remedy lies in strengthening self-reliance — diversifying energy supply lines and bolstering independent national defense capabilities.