Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized South Korea for being "not helpful" to the United States, emphasizing the precarious position of American troops stationed in South Korea "right next to a nuclear force." This statement was made during an annual Easter luncheon at the White House, where Trump highlighted the importance of securing the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump singled out South Korea, along with China, Japan, and France, urging them to take action to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route that has been effectively closed due to Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks. He stressed that countries relying on the strait for energy imports should step up their efforts to ensure its security.

Trump expressed his dissatisfaction over the reluctance of U.S. allies to heed his call for naval assistance to secure the strait, which is responsible for approximately 20% of the world's oil supply. He specifically mentioned the presence of 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea, stationed close to North Korea's nuclear arsenal, as he urged South Korea to contribute more actively to the security efforts.

The president also pointed out the dependency of Japan and China on the strait for their oil imports, suggesting that they, too, should take responsibility for its security. The de facto blockage of the strait has resulted in rising oil prices and increased concerns about the war's impact on global inflation and the economy, particularly the ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Trump indicated that there might be an end to the conflict with Iran within "two or three weeks," sparking speculation about a resolution even if the strait remains largely impassable. Meanwhile, he has called on affected countries to either purchase oil from the U.S. or directly address the challenges posed by the strait themselves.

The president is scheduled to deliver a national address on Wednesday evening, where he is expected to elaborate on his plans regarding the war and the security challenges related to the Strait of Hormuz.