Trump: 'We asked if they'd participate — they said no'
Cheong Wa Dae: Military contribution to Strait of Hormuz under review
Cheong Wa Dae pushed back Tuesday against Donald Trump's claim that South Korea had refused to help the United States with the war against Iran, saying the government "is closely monitoring the escalating tensions in the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz, and is actively participating in international efforts to restore global maritime supply chains to normal as soon as possible."
A Cheong Wa Dae official added that "in this regard, the government has been continuously discussing cooperation with the international community, including the United States, and is reviewing practical and military options for ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, taking into comprehensive consideration the readiness posture on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal procedures."
The official went on to say that "this is something the government has been consistently pursuing — it is not a new matter."
Earlier, Trump said in a Fox News interview aired Sunday (local time) that "the United States is spending billions of dollars helping NATO and other countries — South Korea, for example," adding, "We help them, but when the time comes for them to help us, we ask, 'Will you participate?' and they all say, 'No, thank you.'"
Trump said that "in the case of South Korea, we have 40,000 troops there," and that when he asked whether Seoul could "help just a little with Iran," the response was, "We'd rather not."
He added that he replied, "OK," "Thank you very much, I appreciate it," "But remember this," and "I mean it."
sunpine@heraldcorp.com
