South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for stronger national defense self-reliance after US President Donald Trump decided to significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. Lee said Seoul should expand its own defense capabilities while maintaining its strong military alliance with the United States. He identified the return of full wartime operational control, or OPCON, of South Korean forces from the United States as an important objective.

Trump recently ordered a substantial reduction in joint drills with South Korea, citing his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and saying the exercises could be limited under current circumstances. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise involves about 18,000 South Korean troops as well as personnel from the United States and the UN Command.

One purpose of the exercise is to prepare for the transfer of wartime operational control and assess military capabilities. Lee said the US alliance and independent defense capacity are not contradictory, and that both are needed to make South Korea stronger and more self-reliant. Analysts fear reduced drills could affect joint readiness and the ability to address threats from North Korea.