▲ This file photo, released by Reuters, shows U.S. President Donald Trump speaking during the signing ceremony for an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 31, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Trump-Korea-Hormuz Strait

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

(ATTN: ADDS more info in paras 2-3, 5-9)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, April 1 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that South 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 South 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.

"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, referring to the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea and North Korea's nuclear force.

"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 has 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.

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 U.S., 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 U.S. 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 U.S. or "go to the strait and just take it."

Trump plans to deliver an address to the nation on Wednesday evening (Washington time), during which he could outline his plans for the war as well as the security issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

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