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

▲ 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)

Trump-Korea-Hormuz Strait

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

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 help 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 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, apparently referring to 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.

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