Trump orders military to ‘substantially reduce’ joint exercises with South Korea. Here's why

US President Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing that the exercises are costly and convey an inappropriate and hostile message to North Korea. This move comes as North Korea has resumed ballistic missile testing activities, which are banned by the UN.

Trump's decision is based on his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom he has had multiple meetings with during his presidency. The cancelled joint military exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, were scheduled to begin this week and involved 18,000 South Korean soldiers. They were designed to bolster readiness against North Korean threats and reinforce the alliance's role as a key component for regional peace and security.