Trump digs South Korea over refusal to help with Iran war

President Donald Trump on Tuesday took a shot at South Korea over its unwillingness to aid in the Iran war, seemingly linking Seoul's refusal to his decision to reduce joint military exercises with the country.

Trump recently ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to scale down planned military exercises with South Korea. The president has long enjoyed an amicable relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and has worked to reduce tensions between the two states.

"Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I was not happy with the fact that the United States had, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea," he posted on Truth Social. "Therefore, and based on the fact that it was too late to cancel, I 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!'" he added.

Since launching the Iran war in late February, Trump has struggled to rally international support for the U.S. operation. Many allied nations have declined to contribute naval forces to patrol the Strait of Hormuz, while some have even refused to permit the U.S. to use their bases for strikes on the country.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.