Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Trump criticizes South Korea over Hormuz aid, questions Korea drills
Donald Trump said South Korea did not want to help the United States protect the Strait of Hormuz.
He said this upset him because South Korea gets much of its oil through that waterway.
Trump also questioned large military exercises involving North Korea.
He said the exercises might insult Kim Jong-un while Trump is trying to keep a good relationship with him.
Trump said he and Kim communicate well.
He argued that this relationship helps keep the United States and its Asian allies safer.
Trump did not say clearly whether denuclearising North Korea is still his main goal.
He also claimed North Korea has about 57 nuclear weapons.
He did not explain how he calculated that number.
Donald Trump said he was unhappy after South Korea declined a US request to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said South Korea receives 60 percent of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
He questioned large-scale military exercises involving North Korea while maintaining a relationship with Kim Jong-un.
Trump said his relationship with Kim had helped make the United States, Japan and South Korea safer.
Trump said North Korea possessed about 57 nuclear weapons and was expanding its nuclear programme, without providing supporting details.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, South Korea, North Korea and its leader Kim Jong-un.
- What
- Trump criticised South Korea for declining US assistance with Strait of Hormuz security and questioned large military exercises involving North Korea.
- When
- During remarks to reporters at the White House; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- At the White House, concerning the Strait of Hormuz and the Korean Peninsula.
- Why
- Trump said he expected South Korea to help secure a passage through which it receives much of its oil, and opposed exercises he believed could damage his relationship with Kim Jong-un.
South Korea’s reported position
Trump’s position
Hormuz assistance
South Korea’s reported position
South Korea declined the US request to help secure the Strait of Hormuz; the articles do not provide its reasons.
Trump’s position
Trump said he was unhappy with the refusal and pointed to South Korea’s reliance on oil transported through the waterway.
Military exercises
South Korea’s reported position
The articles do not state South Korea’s position on the large-scale exercises.
Trump’s position
Trump argued that major exercises against North Korea were inappropriate and potentially insulting to Kim Jong-un while he was maintaining contact with him.
Engagement with North Korea
South Korea’s reported position
The articles do not present a separate South Korean position on Trump’s engagement with Kim Jong-un.
Trump’s position
Trump said his good relationship with Kim reduced the likelihood of hostilities and made the United States, Japan and South Korea safer.
- US request
- The United States asked South Korea to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
- South Korean response
- Trump said South Korea declined the request.
- Oil dependence
- Trump said 60 percent of South Korea’s oil comes through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Military exercises
- Trump questioned large-scale exercises described as being against North Korea.
- North Korean arsenal
- Trump said North Korea possessed about 57 nuclear weapons.
- Nuclear programme
- Trump said North Korea was continuing to expand its nuclear programme.
- Denuclearisation
- Trump declined to say directly whether denuclearisation remained his objective.
