Article · Aug 18, 2026

South Korea president calls for military independence in wake of Trump call to cut joint drills

Lee Jae Myung reiterates desire for full command back in Seoul’s hands after Donald Trump cuts joint exercises, citing warm ties with Kim Jong-un ‘Inane, haphazard decision’ by Trump to gut South Korea alliance South Korea’s president ⁠has renewed his push to regain independent control of the military from the US in the event of war and urged faster progress in acquiring nuclear-powered submarines after Donald…