Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon on Sunday to scale back planned joint military exercises with South Korea after the Republican president said South Korea declined to help denuclearize…
President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea on Sunday, citing South Korea's reluctance to assist in denuclearizing Iran. The planned 11-day exercises, involving 18,000 South Korean soldiers, were intended to enhance readiness against potential North Korean threats. The drills were scheduled to include complex scenarios such as live-fire exercises, a wet gap crossing, and the distribution of prepositioned military equipment.
Trump's decision came after he posted a photo of himself with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, stating that the two leaders had a great relationship despite a hostile appearance in the image. North Korea's Foreign Ministry has denounced the U.S.-South Korean training as a rehearsal for an aggressive war, causing increased instability in the region.
Trump has previously met with Kim three times during his first term to discuss the North Korean nuclear program. Since coming back into office, Trump has shown interest in continuing these discussions.
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