Trump says US-South Korea war games to be ‘substantially reduced’

US President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the US-South Korea joint military exercises and plans to reduce their intensity, according to his latest statement on the Truth Social platform. The drills, known as the "Ulchi Freedom Shield," are set to commence today and run for 11 days, aimed at preparing South Korea's armed forces against potential threats from North Korea.

Trump emphasized his disagreement with the costly nature of these exercises, which are typically carried out with American taxpayers footing the bill. He argued that the drills send a hostile signal to South Korea, which has remained unthreatening and respectful during Trump's presidency. Despite being unable to cancel the drills, Trump has instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce their scale.

The annual exercise is a staple for South Korea's military and US allies, designed to fortify their defenses against North Korea's nuclear arsenal. North Korea has consistently opposed the drills, labeling them as rehearsal exercises for an invasion. The US maintains approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea as part of its defense strategy against potential threats from Pyongyang.

This arrangement stems from the 1950-53 Korean War, which concluded with an armistice, not a peace treaty. Trump's willingness to challenge long-standing military alliances has been evident in his confrontations with NATO, criticizing Western partners for not supporting his war against Iran. In his recent post, Trump also addressed South Korea's refusal to join the US in denuclearizing Iran, stating, "I recently asked the President of South Korea if they would like to join us in the Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, 'No thanks!'"