US President Donald Trump will step directly into the shadow of the North Korean nuclear standoff on Tuesday on a visit to South Korea in which his words alone could risk further inflaming tensions with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The White House says Trump’s trip is intended to demonstrate US resolve over his hard-line approach to the North Korean nuclear and missile threats, but many in the region fear that further bellicose presidential rhetoric could increase the potential for a devastating military conflict on the Korean peninsula.
Arriving in South Korea on the second stop of a five-country trek, Trump will tour the main garrison for US troops stationed in South Korea, the sprawling Camp Humphreys, which lies about 100km from the border with reclusive North Korea.
Trump is seeking to ratchet up pressure on Pyongyang following a visit to Tokyo, where he said on Monday that America was working to counter North Korea’s “dangerous aggressions” and talked about Japan being able to shoot North Korean missiles “out of the sky” once it completes purchases of US military equipment.
The South Korea visit also aims to shore up an uneasy alliance between Washington and Seoul, which has come under US pressure over trade and defence spending.
Trump has rattled some US allies with his vow to “totally destroy” North Korea if it threatens the United States, for deriding Kim as a “Rocket Man on a suicide mission” and for dismissing as pointless any diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang.
Kim, who has also made clear he has little interest in negotiations, at least until North Korea develops a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the United States, has called Trump a “mentally deranged US dotard.”
South Korea’s spy agency said last week that North Korea may be preparing another missile test, raising speculation that such a launch could be timed for Trump’s 12-day visit to the region. US officials have said privately that intercepting a test missile is among options under consideration, though there is disagreement within the administration about the risks.
US Marines and South Korean forces will be conducting previously planned joint military drills in the northwestern part of South Korea during Trump’s visit, South Korea’s defence ministry said on Monday, an action that could further aggravate tension with Pyongyang.
Seoul wary of playing second fiddle to Japan
US ally South Korea, meanwhile, is rolling out the red carpet for Trump but is also sensitive to the fact that he plans to spend only 24 hours in the country compared to 48 hours in Japan, the kind of comparison that South Koreans often make because of concerns they are a lesser US priority than Tokyo, its richer neighbour.
While Trump has forged a strong bond with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping – who will host him later this week – South Korean officials say there has been less personal chemistry between him and their new liberal president, Moon Jae-in.
During the state visit, South Koreans are also bracing for the possibility that Trump will renew his criticism of Moon over his support for diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
