Trump Criticized by Moon... "Excessive Defense Cost Demands Made"

"Step-by-Step Approach Will Lead to North Korea's Denuclearization"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in expressed dissatisfaction with former U.S. President Trump's excessive demands for defense cost-sharing in an interview with The New York Times. He also expressed confidence that North Korea's proposed 'step-by-step denuclearization approach' could lead to North Korea's denuclearization.

The New York Times reported on the 21st that in an interview held on the 16th, President Moon used the phrase "(President Trump) demanded an excessive amount," expressing dissatisfaction with Trump's demands for defense cost-sharing.

During the Trump administration, the U.S. side demanded a fivefold increase in defense cost-sharing, and South Korea rejected this, causing the negotiations to stall for some time. President Moon criticized Trump's demands as "requests without reasonable and rational grounds."

The New York Times stated, "Considering South Korea's growing economic size, South Korea was willing to share more defense costs, but President Trump's demands damaged the foundation of bilateral relations," adding, "President Moon cautiously praised former President Trump in small measures but seemed dissatisfied with his inconsistent behavior and diplomacy conducted through Twitter."

Regarding the defense cost-sharing agreement reached 46 days after the inauguration of the Biden administration, which had been stalled throughout the Trump administration, President Moon highly evaluated it as "clear evidence that President Biden places importance on alliances."

With the beginning of the Biden era, he also voiced hopes for progress in North Korea-U.S. relations. President Moon said about the step-by-step denuclearization approach involving exchanging 'small deals,' "If these steps align well with corresponding U.S. concessions, it could lead to the removal of more valuable North Korean assets such as intercontinental ballistic missiles," adding, "if this scenario proceeds, the process toward complete denuclearization will become irreversible."

President Moon emphasized, "This dialogue and diplomacy can lead to denuclearization," and said, "Since both North Korea and the U.S. experienced failure at the Hanoi summit, if they build on that failure and realistically work together to find solutions, both sides can find a resolution."

However, The New York Times also pointed out regarding President Moon's expectations that "considering the deep mistrust between the U.S. and North Korean governments, expecting a major breakthrough may be unrealistic."