US President Donald Trump has blamed past American leadership for allowing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to acquire nuclear weapons, saying the situation “should never have happened.”
Speaking after a press conference addressing a well-executed rescue of an American soldier in Iran, Trump said previous US presidents failed to act decisively as North Korea built its nuclear arsenal.
“Kim Jong Un would not have nuclear weapons right now if a certain president did his job. That should never have happened,” Trump said.
He said the troops in South Korea were at risk and positioned near Kim Jong Un and his nuclear weapons.
Trump Pins North Korea Nukes on US Failures
According to Trump, earlier US administrations were hesitant to take strong action against North Korea, allowing Kim to strengthen his position and push forward with nuclear development.
He claimed North Korea has about 45 nuclear weapons, saying such an arsenal should never have been allowed to exist.
He added that fear and hesitation in Washington had lasting consequences.
“They were all afraid to do their job properly,” Trump said.
Trump said the United States currently has about 50,000 troops stationed in Japan and roughly 45,000 troops in South Korea, describing them as being in difficult and dangerous positions because of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
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Trump added that he was not naming one president he blamed because he “happens to like him,” despite saying that failure enabled North Korea’s nuclear rise.
The US president said American forces are stationed in the region to protect allies such as Japan and South Korea from North Korea, which he described as possessing a large number of nuclear weapons.
He said those weapons were acquired because US leaders in the past failed to confront the issue effectively.
Trump also discussed his personal relationship with Kim, saying that tensions had eased during his prior engagement with the North Korean leader.
He claimed relations with Pyongyang were at their best during his direct diplomacy, even as North Korea continued to expand its weapons program in the years that followed.
The U.S president also drew a contrast between his relationship with Kim and Kim’s attitude toward his predecessor, Joe Biden.
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He said the North Korean leader had been harshly critical of Biden, while expressing respect for Trump, arguing this helped ease tensions during his own engagement with Pyongyang.
Trump Goes After NATO
Trump’s remarks came as he criticized several US allies for what he described as a lack of support during security crises.
He singled out Japan, South Korea, and Australia, saying they have gained from American military protection while contributing less than expected in return.
Trump also reiterated his longstanding criticism of the NATO alliance, calling it ineffective and accusing several member states of failing to fulfill their obligations.
“Japan did not help us. Australia did not help us. South Korea did not help us. And then you get to NATO. NATO did not help us,” Trump stated.
He contrasted those remarks with praise for Middle Eastern partners such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which he said had supported US military efforts.
Trump added that tensions in NATO began with U.S. interests in Greenland, referring to earlier disputes with European allies.
He said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was due to meet him on Wednesday, April 8, describing Rutte as a great person, even as he continued to criticize the alliance itself.
