"Iran Declined Help"… "Must Build Strength to Increase Alliance Value"

[Anchor]

U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned that he asked South Korea for support regarding the situation in the war with Iran, but that President Lee Jae-myung declined, saying he would "pass." President Lee Jae-myung stated today (August 18), "We must grow our own strength to increase the value of the alliance."

Here is reporter Kang Cheongwan with the details.

[Reporter]

U.S. President Trump reiterated in his own voice what he wrote on his social media the day before, stating that he had asked South Korea for support regarding the issue of Iran's denuclearization, but that President Lee Jae-myung declined.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President: When I asked, "Could you help us a little?" and said, "We don't necessarily need help with the Iran issue, but if you'd like, please help us out," (President Lee Jae-myung) declined, saying he would "pass."]

Regarding this, Director of National Security Wi Sung-lac stated that the South Korean government is deeply interested in the issue of Iran's denuclearization and will continue to coordinate with the international community, including the United States.

On President Trump's directive to scale back South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, he offered a conventional response, stating, "Based on the robust South Korea-U.S. alliance, we have continued to coordinate with the U.S. and will maintain this cooperation going on."

As interpretations emerge that President Trump may be stepping up pressure on the South Korean government due to dissatisfaction with Seoul's response to the war with Iran, the presidential office appears to be calibrating its response by emphasizing "international cooperation."

At a Cabinet meeting for the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise today, President Lee emphasized the functional relationship between independent national defense and the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

[Lee Jae-myung / President: Only by growing our own strength will the value and necessity of the alliance also grow larger.]

Regarding President Trump's proposal for North Korea-U.S. dialogue, the presidential office stated that it will make necessary diplomatic efforts as a pacemaker, expressing expectations in particular that progress will be made toward peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through North Korea-U.S. dialogue.

(Video reporting: Jung Sang-bo, Ha Ryung | Video editing: Wi Won-yang | Design: Ryu Sang-su)

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