South Korea’s president calls for more self-reliant military as questions arise about US commitment

South Korea’s president calls for more self-reliant military as questions arise about US commitment

SEOUL: South Korea’s president vowed Wednesday to sharply increase defense spending to introduce a variety of high-tech weapons as part of efforts to build a more self-reliant military, as US President Donald Trump’s America-first agenda raises questions about the US security commitment to its Asian ally.

A tariff war instigated by Trump’s administration and his transactional approach to security threaten to erode many South Koreans’ trust in the US.

There are concerns that he may demand much higher South Korean payments for the US military presence in the country or possibly downsize America’s military footprint to focus more on China.

In an Armed Forces Day ceremony Wednesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung described the South Korea-US military alliance as “solid” and didn’t mention any concerns about Trump’s policies. But he repeatedly stressed an intention to build a more independent military that can independently defend the country from external threats.