Trump Orders Cut in South Korea Military Drills
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce upcoming joint military exercises with South Korea, citing their cost and his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The decision came shortly before the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises were due to begin.
Trump Orders Cut in US-South Korea Military Drills
Trump instructed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to scale back American participation in the 10-day military exercises running from August 17 to August 27.
The US president said it was too late to cancel the drills entirely but criticised their cost and argued that they could send an unnecessarily hostile signal to North Korea.
Trump also referred to what he described as his good relationship with Kim Jong Un while explaining the decision to reduce the scale of the exercises.
Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercises Begin as Scheduled
Despite Trump’s announcement, South Korea said the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began as planned on August 17.
Around 18,000 South Korean military personnel are expected to take part in the drills, which include preparations for threats such as drone attacks, GPS disruption, missile operations and cyberattacks.
It was not immediately clear which parts of the exercises would be reduced following Trump’s directive or how significantly US troop participation would be affected.
North Korea Remains Critical of Joint Drills
North Korea has repeatedly condemned US-South Korean military exercises, describing them as preparations for conflict. Washington and Seoul have maintained that the drills are defensive and necessary to maintain military readiness.
Trump’s move could ease some tensions with Pyongyang, but it also raises questions over the future scale of joint military exercises and the broader US security commitment to South Korea.
