Former President Trump told South Korean media he is frustrated Seoul refused to
participate in a U.S. operation related to Iran and raised issues of defense
cost-sharing. He said South Korea agreed during his first term to pay about $3
billion annually for U.S. protection; he sought $10 billion, and the short‑term
deal was $3 billion with planned increases in subsequent years. Trump said
President Biden later withdrew the $3 billion “for reasons I don’t know.” In a
recent call with South Korean president Lee Jae‑myung, Trump said he asked if
Seoul would “help a little” on Iran; Lee declined. Trump noted roughly 39,000
U.S. troops are deployed in South Korea and called Seoul’s refusal to assist in
what he described as a “very easy” military action “strange.”
