Seoul backs Trump’s North Korea talks but warns it must not be left out
South Korea supports President Trump’s renewed engagement with North Korea, insisting any talks must advance nuclear disarmament and keep Seoul’s security role intact.
South Korean officials expressed approval of President Trump’s effort to re-engage North Korea, while warning that any diplomatic breakthrough must deliver tangible steps on the nuclear issue. Wi Sung-lac told reporters that coordination with the United States is essential to guarantee that renewed US-North Korea talks produce real progress on denuclearisation and contribute to a lasting peace framework on the Korean peninsula.
He added that Seoul’s security posture must remain uncompromised and that the country should not be sidelined as Washington pursues negotiations with Pyongyang. The statement underscores the importance Seoul places on both nuclear restraint and maintaining its joint defence readiness with the United States.
Why it matters
The stance shapes how future US-North Korea talks could affect regional security and South Korea’s role.
How this story developed
- Aug 17 Trump orders major cut to US-South Korea drills, citing Iran dispute and North Korea ties
- Aug 18 The Ulchi Freedom Shield, an 11-day tabletop and field exercise involving about 18,000 South Korean troops, was slated to test responses to regional threats. Trump’s directive, citing good ties with Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s stance on Iran, left the scope of the cuts unclear. Experts warn that trimming costly field maneuvers could erode joint operational familiarity and delay a planned shift to South Korean wartime command. North Korea has already condemned the drills as provocative, threatening a stronger deterrent. Senior US and South Korean officials are meeting to discuss how to adjust the schedule.
- Aug 18 Trump announced a substantial scaling back of U.S. participation in the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills.
- Aug 19 South Korean foreign minister said the drill reduction appears intended to pressure Seoul on Iran and a U.S. investment agreement.
- Aug 20 South Korean defence minister said intelligence points to 80‑120 nuclear warheads, contradicting Trump’s cited figure.
- Aug 20 North Korea launched roughly ten short‑range ballistic missiles into the sea hours after Trump’s remarks.
- Aug 21 North Korean spokesperson Kim Yo Jong said the reduction does not alter the drills’ perceived provocativeness.
- Aug 21 Trump instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to reduce the joint U.S.–South Korea exercises.
- Aug 22 Experts suggest the scaled‑back drills may serve as a lever for incremental diplomatic steps.
- Aug 22 South Korean Unification Ministry official said the administration favors direct talks between Trump and Kim Jong‑un.
- Aug 25 North Korea launched missiles on the day Trump announced the drill reduction.
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