Trump scales back US-South Korea drills, cites 'very good' ties with Kim Jong Un
President Donald Trump announced Sunday that had directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" planned joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises.
President Donald Trump recently announced a reduction in joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, citing a "very good" relationship with North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. The U.S. ally South Korea has long been threatened by North Korea, but Trump claims that the recent drills send inappropriate and hostile signals to Pyongyang, which he describes as unthreatening and respectful towards America during his presidency.
An official from the South Korean Ministry of Defense stated that the ongoing Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will continue as planned. Despite North Korea testing nuclear weapons and expanding its atomic weapons stockpile, Trump believes the reduced exercises will facilitate meaningful dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, potentially leading to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News (US)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Trump’s move to gut South Korea alliance is ‘inane, haphazard decision’, lawmakers say theguardian.com
- Trump says N. Korea's Kim as responded to his overtures koreatimes.co.kr
- Trump's South Korea drawdown gets rough reception thehill.com
- South Korea Hopeful Of US-North Korea Talks After Trump Cuts Military Drills ndtv.com
- US senators criticise Trump’s decision to scale back South Korea drills freemalaysiatoday.com
- Trump says N. Korea's Kim has responded to his dialogue overture en.yna.co.kr
- Trump opens door to talks with North Korea's Kim with downsized drills asia.nikkei.com
