In a bold call for enhanced military autonomy, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has urged his country to strengthen its independent defense systems. This appeal came Tuesday in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive to slash the U.S. role in joint military exercises with South Korea.
President Lee delivered his remarks during a cabinet meeting following the commencement of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. Trump made headlines over the weekend with a social media announcement stating that War Secretary Pete Hegseth had been tasked with “substantially reducing” American participation in the drills.
Expressing concerns, Trump suggested that the nature of the exercises might appear overly confrontational to North Korea—a nation led by Kim Jong Un, with whom Trump has sought to maintain a warm rapport.
In a vivid demonstration of the exercise’s practical components, U.S. soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division were seen conducting a river crossing as part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise on August 27, 2025, in Yeoju-gun, South Korea. (Getty Images)
President Lee reiterated during his cabinet session that the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills are purely defensive in nature, emphasizing their importance in maintaining regional stability.
“A strong alliance makes the foundation of security stronger, and strengthening our own capabilities increases our value and necessity as an ally,” Lee said.
He stated that South Korea’s top priority is maintaining peace with North Korea, but said the country must be prepared for a “worst-case scenario.”
Lee specifically mentioned boosting South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine program, among others.
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump meet on the south side of the line that divides North and South Korea, in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) on June 30, 2019. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump’s statement on Monday, posted to Truth Social, was openly critical of Lee’s administration with respect to North Korea.
“Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea,” Trump wrote.
“These exercises are not only costly, with much of these costs paid for by the United States of America (as usual!), but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been President, has been unthreatening and respectful.”
Lee’s administration noted the kind words for North Korea in his statement on Tuesday, with Lee’s national security advisor, Wi Sung-lac, remarking that he hopes Trump’s relationship with Kim could lead to lasting change.
Kim Jong Un, left, prepares to shake hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the border village of Panmunjom in Demilitarized Zone on April 27, 2018. (Korea Summit Press Pool via AP)
“We hope the friendly relationship between the U.S. and North Korean leaders will lead to meaningful North Korea-U.S. dialogue,” Wi said at a Tuesday briefing.
Trump also took the opportunity to highlight Lee’s apparent refusal to assist the U.S. in the conflict with Iran.
“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!’” Trump wrote.