South Korea president stresses US alliance as many baffled by Trump order to cut exercises

South Korea’s president said on Tuesday a solid alliance with the US strengthens the foundation of national security, as many South Koreans were baffled and concerned about US President Donald Trump’s abrupt order to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises.

 Trump made the surprise announcement in a social media post just before US and South Korean soldiers began Monday’s annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, which are largely designed to sharpen readiness against North Korean threats.

 Trump cited what he said was good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s refusal to join the US war against Iran.

 Trump’s move was apparently taken without consultations with South Korea and meant to reach out to Kim, deepening concerns about the reliability of the US-South Korean alliance forged in the turmoil of the 1950-53 Korean War.
 Confidence in the US has already eroded among many South Koreans because of Trump’s tariff war and last year’s immigration raid in the US state of Georgia that led to the detainment of hundreds of South Korean workers.
 Trump’s announcement “reveals the stark reality of a faltering Korea-US alliance, fuelling public anxiety,” South Korea’s Hankook Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial Tuesday.

 “It’s absurd that the US appears to treat North Korea more respectfully than its ally South Korea.”
 In a regular Cabinet meeting, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stressed the importance of a firm military alliance with the US, saying that “national security will be further strengthened when the alliance is solid”. “When we build up our strengths, our value and importance as an ally will further grow,” said Lee, a liberal who has called for a stronger, self-reliant defence posture.