South Korea pushes for military independence as Trump scales back US drills

South Korea has responded for the first time after President Donald Trump announced to scale back the US annual military exercises with Seoul.

In the wake of Trump’s decision to cut drills, South Korean president Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for stronger “independent military capabilities.”

Emphasising a long-held policy goal, Lee affirmed that the planned transfer of wartime operational control (Opcon) of South Korean forces from the United States should proceed uninterrupted during his tenure.

During the cabinet meeting, he also explained that annual civil-defence exercises with the United States were not meant to threaten North Korea. In fact, it was defensive in nature as Seoul had no intentions of instigating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

According to the presidential Blue House statement, the sole purpose of these drills is to protect citizens’ daily lives rather than targeting any hostile country.

“A strong alliance makes the foundation of security stronger, and strengthening our own capabilities increases our value and necessity as an ally,” Lee said, describing the US-South Korea alliance and independent defence as ‌ mutually reinforcing.

In a latest push for independent military capabilities, the president called for faster development on South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine programme and “for developing officers capable of integrated operations for future conflict.”

On Monday, South Korea expressed hopes for reviving stalled talks between the US and North Korea aimed at easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The office added that the country is prepared to make the necessary diplomatic efforts to encourage discussions aimed at fostering peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.