Trump's 'Help Me' Met With Lee Jae Myung's 'No Thank You'

U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that when he asked South Korea to assist in the stalled Iran war on August 19, President Lee Jae Myung said, ''No thank you.'' The president should not have rejected the request so bluntly. Even if direct participation was not immediately feasible, at minimum, leaving room for a positive consideration—such as 'we will review the matter'—would have been preferable. Allowing the U.S. president to describe the response as a 'curt rejection' reflects diplomatic inexperience. This is not to argue naively about South Korea's international standing if it were to join the Iran war. There are valid opinions that entering a conflict widely criticized, even within the U.S., as 'Trump's reckless provocation' is unwise. However, it is crucial to weigh the negative assessments against the significance of aiding a beleaguered ally. This balancing act is the challenge and responsibility of leadership. Assisting the U.S. in its hour of need is a virtue of a nation that understands gratitude. From a practical, national interest perspective, history shows that overseas deployments or participation have served as leverage for South Korea's growth. The Vietnam War deployment propelled the nation by multiple stages, laying the foundation for industrialization, globalization, and defense modernization. The 2003 Iraq deployment strengthened ties with the U.S. Left-wing President Roh Moo-hyun's decision to participate while minimizing risks set a precedent for economically pragmatic deployments. Domestic opposition was fierce then, too. Yet Roh Moo-hyun's calculated decision—weighing losses against gains—remains a positive legacy, alongside the Jeju Navy Base construction. Trump is deeply displeased with South Korea over its refusal to join the Iran war. He has repeatedly criticized the country and will likely continue to do so, often contrasting South Korea with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. For South Korea, hoping Trump's remaining two-year term ends quickly is the best course. However, the repercussions linger. In international relations, a nation and its leader must be treated as distinct entities. While Americans criticize Trump, they dislike other countries disparaging their president. South Korea's refusal to aid the U.S. in the Iran war should not be equated with Americans' criticism of Trump. History will not remember 'President Lee said 'No thank you'' but that South Korea rejected the U.S. request for help during the Iran war—a nation that had aided America over 70 years ago. The world is transitioning from an 80-year Cold War structure into a new realignment, with experts warning of a potential third world war. Regional conflicts in Ukraine, Israel-Lebanon, China-India, and Iran have already escalated into wars, while tensions simmer in Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula. Only the fear of nuclear devastation has prevented larger conflagrations. Alliances are being hastily formed: Russia, China, and North Korea coalesce on one side, while the U.S. and NATO fracture on the other. Trump's imperialist land grabs further complicate the landscape. The risk of these conflicts merging into a global war is real. Where should South Korea stand? To preserve itself, it must choose sides. Neutrality or indecision could leave it vulnerable. Turning away from the U.S. does not immediately disarm the nation, but it weakens resolve—a critical survival principle. Yet the current left-wing administration prioritizes détente. Whether intentionally or not, it removes live ammunition from frontline units, reprimands drone operations, and downplays joint training under the guise of self-reliant defense. Sudden proposals to merge military academies and boasts about South Korea's 'fifth-largest military' mask deeper concerns. Most alarming is the potential stigmatization of the military—'living and dying by orders'—as anti-establishment forces under the pretext of condemning 'insurrection.' Could President Lee's 'No thank you' mark a critical turning point in 70 years of U.S.-South Korea relations? The worry is justified.