Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back responds to questions about the early termination of the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint exercise at a plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. [Yonhap]
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back responds to questions about the early termination of the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint exercise at a plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. [Yonhap]

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Wednesday that US President Donald Trump's claim that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had declined an invitation to join American efforts toward Iran's denuclearization was "not true."

Ahn made the remarks at a plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, responding to questions from People Power Party lawmaker Kim Min-jeon about Trump's statement.

When Kim asked whether that meant Trump had said something untrue, Ahn replied, "Yes."

Asked whether Trump had lied, Ahn said it was "not something I can offer an assessment on," but added, "I am speaking to the facts."

Trump raised the Iran issue Sunday while announcing a reduction in US-South Korea joint military exercises. In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed he had recently asked Lee whether South Korea would join US efforts toward Iran's denuclearization, and that Seoul had responded with "no thanks."

In the same post, Trump cited his "good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "significantly reduce" the combined exercises. The announcement prompted speculation that Trump had ordered the cutback in joint drills — a key pillar of deterrence against the North — as a show of displeasure toward Seoul.

Ahn also denied that South Korea's refusal of the US request on Iran had influenced the decision to scale back the joint exercises.


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