Trump says he instructed Pentagon chief to 'substantially' reduce S. Korea-U.S. military drills

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he has directed the Pentagon chief to substantially decrease joint U.S.-South Korea military drills. Trump argued that these exercises are not only expensive but also signal hostility to North Korea. The president made these remarks in a social media post as Seoul and Washington were about to launch their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, a drill that North Korea routinely condemns as war rehearsals.

Trump, citing his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S. participation in these joint drills, which are largely funded by the United States. He instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to considerably reduce the joint military exercises, even though it was too late to cancel them.

Trump also mentioned that he had recently inquired with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung about Seoul joining efforts to denuclearize Iran, to which the South Korean leader had responded, "No thanks."