Trump rebukes South Korea over Iran snub, 'you just can't be a stupid person and help them'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump took aim at South Korea after the country refused to help the US in the Iran war, questioning why Washington should spend billions to protect Seoul.

The rift in the relationship between the US and South Korea surfaced after Trump recently directed the Pentagon to scale back joint military training with Seoul.

Trump cited a good relationship with North Korea and South Korea’s refusal to help America in the war against Iran.  

Trump says he won't be 'stupid' and keep helping

During a sit-down with Fox News host Trey Gowdy on Sunday, August 30, President Trump asked why the United States should “spend billions and billions of dollars helping” other countries, singling out South Korea.

During the interview, he also touted US operations against Iran and in the Strait of Hormuz, while complaining that American allies had offered little assistance.

“We got very little help from other countries,” Trump said. “And we help other countries; we spend billions and billions of dollars helping NATO and other countries.”

Trump revealed that America personally requested South Korea to participate in the conflict, but the country refused.

“South Korea as an example. We helped them, but when it came to helping us, I didn’t put on a heavy sell, but I just said, ‘Would you like to participate?’ and they all said, ‘No, thank you’. And I said, ‘I’m going to remember that to myself.’”

“So you could say we are going to make a lot of money, because when they’re not willing to go for you, you just can’t be a stupid person and help them,” he said.

Trump ordered Pentagon to scale back military exercises

Nearly two weeks ago, President Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” planned joint military exercises with South Korea.

At the time, Trump clearly mentioned Seoul’s refusal to join America against Iran and touted his friendship with South Korea’s enemy country, North Korea, through a Truth Social post.

Speaking to Gowdy, Trump again emphasized the scale of America’s military commitment to Seoul.

“They want our help. We have thousands and thousands — like, in South Korea, as an example, we have 40,000 soldiers over there. And I said, ‘Would you mind giving us a little hand with Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran?’ And they say, ‘Well, we’d rather not.’ And I said, ‘OK, thank you very much. I appreciate it.’”

“But I think you have to remember this stuff,” Trump added. “I really do.”