On the 8th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned that Korea is a wealthy country, stating, "Korea should bear its own defense costs."

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick during a cabinet meeting held at the White House in Washington D.C. on the 8th of July, 2025 (local time). /Courtesy of Reuters

During a Cabinet meeting held at the White House that day, President Trump noted the presence of U.S. forces in Korea, saying, "Korea pays too little to the United States." This is interpreted as pressure to increase the cost of stationing U.S. troops in Korea.

Meanwhile, President Trump cited an incorrect figure of 45,000 for the size of U.S. troops in Korea. The current size of U.S. troops in Korea is about 28,000.

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