Trump says US-South Korea military drills to be scaled back
US President Donald Trump said annual military drills with South Korea send an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea.
President Donald Trump has stated that he has ordered a reduction in joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed that the annual drills are expensive and send a hostile signal to North Korea, which he described as unthreatening and respectful towards the United States.
This announcement coincides with the beginning of one of the two main annual large-scale joint military exercises, called Ulchi Freedom Shield, which is set to run until August 27. The exercises involve around 18,000 South Korean soldiers and are designed to counter various threats, including drones, GPS signals, and cyberattacks.
Trump also mentioned that South Korea had declined to assist the US in actions against Iran, and that he has a good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea responded to the news by threatening stern steps and calling the exercises a war rehearsal, a claim the South Korean government is reviewing.
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