Explore the latest developments concerning South Korea president.
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
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 Trump’s order to cut joint drills.
On Sunday night, Trump instructed the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” this week’s joint military exercises with South Korea, saying the nuclear-armed North “has been unthreatening and respectful” and that the US president had a “very good relationship with Kim Jong-un”.
Ministers tread carefully as Trump scales back US drills in South Korea
Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi was a guest in Canberra today, where discussions included regional tensions. (Reuters: Manami Yamada)
Japan's defence minister has stressed that cooperation between Australia, Japan and the US is growing ever-more important.
Australia and Japan's defence ministers sat down in Canberra today to discuss the rapidly expanding defence ties between the countries.
It comes as President Donald Trump has scaled back military drills with South Korea.
Australia and Japan's defence ministers have side-stepped questions about Donald Trump's pronouncement that he will scale back military exercises with South Korea — as well as the US president's overtures to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un — while signalling they still see Pyongyang as a serious security threat.
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Trump says North Korea's Kim responded to his overtures
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President Donald Trump says North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had responded to his overtures after Trump ordered the United States to scale back military exercises with South Korea.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump was asked why Kim had not responded to Trump's overtures.
Their relationship was a dominant theme during Trump's first term, including a series of letters between them, but has received less emphasis in his second term.
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