Trump orders major cut in South Korea drills

US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing their cost and Seoul's refusal to join US actions against Iran. According to Trump, the exercises sent an inappropriate and hostile signal to North Korea.

Trump also highlighted his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stating that Kim has responded to his overtures and has always treated him with great respect. The two leaders held summits in 2018 and 2019, but negotiations broke down over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons arsenal.

Some lawmakers have criticized Trump's decision, with a top Democrat saying it was meant to "flatter" North Korea's dictator and risked strengthening Russia's hand in Ukraine. The exercises, which have been a part of the 73-year-old US-South Korea military alliance, exist to deter North Korea, which is under heavy international sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Times, The Korea Times, Yonhap News, The Guardian, The Guardian US — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.