Trump orders Pentagon chief to 'substantially' reduce S. Korea-US military drills
U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he has instructed the Pentagon chief to "substantially" reduce joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, noting that those exercises are not only "costly" but also send a "totally inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea. Trump made the remarks in a social media post as Seoul and Washington are set to kick off their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield…
U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon chief to substantially cut back joint U.S.-South Korea military drills, arguing that these exercises are not only expensive but also convey an inappropriate and hostile message to North Korea. The remarks came in a social media post as Seoul and Washington were due to launch the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which Pyongyang has consistently condemned as war rehearsals.
Trump, citing his rapport with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, expressed his dissatisfaction with the U.S. participation in these drills, which have largely been funded by the United States. He stated that these exercises send a message of hostility to a country that has remained unthreatening and respectful during Trump's presidency.
Trump acknowledged it was too late to cancel the drills, but pledged to reduce their scale significantly.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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