(2nd LD) Pentagon says it is 'actively working on executing' Trump's directive on S. Korea-U.S. military drills

The U.S. Department of Defense is actively implementing President Donald Trump's directive to reduce joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, according to a Pentagon official. This comes after Trump tweeted on Sunday that he has ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to scale back the drills, which he views as a conciliatory gesture towards North Korea.

The Pentagon, in an updated statement, confirmed that they were actively working on executing the President's directive, but had no further changes to report on the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises or other bilateral drills with South Korea. The updated statement fueled speculation that the allied drills would be reduced, despite concerns that such a move could hinder efforts to strengthen deterrence against North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats, which have been furthered by North Korea's increasing cooperation with Russia.

The current Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise began on Monday and is scheduled to continue until August 27. Its purpose is to enhance the allies' capabilities in responding to potential North Korean aggression and to test South Korea's ability to lead combined forces as part of a transition of wartime operational control from the U.S. to South Korea. The White House did not provide immediate comments on Trump's directive.