US President Donald Trump again raised South Korea’s decision not to take up a US request to help with the war in Iran, saying Washington should “remember” countries that are unwilling to help the United States.

US President Donald Trump smiles during an event about drug prices, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Washington. (AP-Yonhap)
US President Donald Trump smiles during an event about drug prices, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Washington. (AP-Yonhap)

In an interview with Fox News aired Sunday, Trump said the US spends “tens of billions of dollars” helping NATO and other countries but receives little help in return, citing South Korea as an example.

“We have 40,000 soldiers” in South Korea, Trump said, adding that he asked Seoul, “Can you help us just a little bit with respect to Iran?”

“And they said, ‘We’d rather not,’” Trump said. “I said, ‘OK, thank you very much. I appreciate it.’ But I think you have to remember this stuff. I really do.”

About 28,500 US troops are currently stationed in South Korea, not 40,000 as Trump claimed.

The remarks are the latest from Trump over what Washington sees as Seoul’s refusal to support US efforts in the Iran conflict.

On Aug. 16, he instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the cost of the drills as well as Seoul’s lack of participation in US efforts related to Iran.


milaya@heraldcorp.com