Fact check: Every single part of this Trump story about South Korea is wrong
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump recounted a story about South Korea's payment for the US military presence that was entirely false, repeating several inaccuracies previously debunked by CNN.
- Trump incorrectly claimed South Korea did not pay for US military protection before his presidency, while in reality, South Korea had been sharing costs since 1991 with agreements negotiated under previous administrations.
- He exaggerated the amount South Korea agreed to pay, stating $3 billion annually, whereas the actual agreed amount under a 2019 deal was less than $1 billion with an 8.2% increase.
- Trump falsely asserted that the 2020 election was rigged and that President Biden rescinded South Korea’s cost-sharing deal due to South Korea's influence, but Biden signed new agreements increasing South Korea’s contributions.
- The Biden administration's agreements in 2021 and 2024 included spending increases for South Korea, contradicting Trump’s claim that payments were stopped or reduced under Biden.
