【聯合ニュース】トランプ氏 韓国に「役立たず」＝ホルムズ海峡問題で
Former President Trump reportedly criticized South Korea as "useless" concerning the security of the Strait of Hormuz, expressing frustration over Seoul's perceived inaction.
This direct remark has ignited a social media debate, with opinions ranging from acknowledging South Korea's shortcomings to finding Trump's characteristic bluntness amusing.
The incident has also refocused attention on the roles of allies and the contentious issue of defense cost sharing.
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Donald Trump's "America First" Diplomacy
Donald Trump's foreign policy during his presidency (2017-2021) was encapsulated by the slogan "America First." This approach prioritized the economic and security interests of the United States above international cooperation or multilateralism. Key policies included withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal, and demanding increased defense contributions from allies. He explicitly stated that allies like NATO members, Japan, and South Korea should not "freeload" on U.S. security, demanding a fair share of defense costs. For instance, negotiations for the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) regarding U.S. forces stationed in Korea saw Trump demanding a significant increase, reportedly more than double the previous amount, often leading to stalemates. His "useless" remark concerning South Korea's role in the Strait of Hormuz security issue can be understood within this "America First" context, reflecting his frustration that allies were not adequately contributing to alleviate the U.S. burden. Trump's direct and business-like diplomatic style caused significant ripples in international relations.
Geopolitical Importance of the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is only about 34 km wide but serves as a critically important choke point for global energy supply. Much of the crude oil produced by major oil-producing countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the UAE, and Qatar passes through this strait to reach global markets. Approximately 20% to 30% of the world's seaborne oil trade traverses this route, making its stability directly linked to the global oil market and economy. For Asian countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude oil, such as Japan, South Korea, and China, the security of the Strait of Hormuz is fundamental to national energy security. Thus, whenever tensions rise between Iran and the international community, including the U.S., the threat of an Iranian strait blockade emerges, leading to sharp increases in global oil prices and supply concerns. The Trump administration's strong call for allies to join a "coalition of the willing" (maritime security initiative) to secure the Strait of Hormuz was due to its deep recognition of the strait's significant impact on the world economy, which led to criticism of South Korea's perceived insufficient contribution.
US-South Korea Alliance and the Special Measures Agreement (SMA)
The US-South Korea alliance, based on the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty, involves the stationing of approximately 28,500 U.S. forces in South Korea to defend the country in the event of conflict on the Korean Peninsula. This alliance acts as a deterrent against the North Korean threat and has been a cornerstone of East Asian security since the Cold War. The costs of stationing U.S. forces in Korea are covered by the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), negotiated between the two countries. Under this agreement, South Korea contributes to various items, including facilities and areas, labor costs, military construction, and logistical support. Under the Trump administration, SMA negotiations faced extreme difficulties. President Trump repeatedly asserted that South Korea was not adequately contributing to defense costs, demanding a significant increase (reported to be up to five times the previous amount). At one point, negotiations were on the verge of collapse, raising concerns about the agreement's expiration. This situation was a prime example of Trump's "America First" diplomacy, consistently demanding "fair burden-sharing" from allies. The "useless" remark concerning the Strait of Hormuz issue can therefore be interpreted as stemming not only from South Korea's contribution to Hormuz but also from this long-standing dissatisfaction regarding defense cost sharing. The U.S. dissatisfaction in these SMA negotiations is deeply related to the harsh words directed at South Korea, a supposed ally.