Trump praises North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, slashes military drills with Seoul
The US president said he instructed the Pentagon to substantially reduce the “costly” joint military exercises and noted ally South Korea’s refusal to assist his actions against Iran.
US President Donald Trump has announced that the US will substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the costly nature of the drills and their hostile signal to North Korea. According to Trump, the exercises, which are set to begin on August 17 and run for 11 days, send a "totally inappropriate and hostile" message to a country that has been "unthreatening and respectful" during his presidency.
Trump also mentioned his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a factor in his decision. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the US's previous agreement to participate in the drills, stating it was too late to cancel them entirely.
The decision comes after South Korea declined to join the US in the denuclearization of Iran, which Trump had requested. The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills are a regular summer fixture for South Korea's armed forces and their US allies, designed to deter rival North Korea.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Sydney Morning Herald, Jerusalem Post, New Straits Times, BBC World — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Trump says US will scale back military drills with South Korea bbc.co.uk
- Trump directs Hegseth to reduce U.S. joint exercises in South Korea thehill.com
- Trump praises North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, slashes military drills with Seoul theage.com.au
- Trump says US will scale back military drills with South Korea ft.com
