US and South Korea begin military drills despite Trump call to scale back

President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military exercises planned with South Korea, citing their lack of contribution to denuclearizing Iran and his positive relationship with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un. The exercises, set to begin this week, have been described as costly and sending a hostile signal to North Korea, which has been unthreatening during Trump's presidency.

Trump instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises, despite not being able to cancel them entirely. This move comes after South Korea's president declined to join the U.S. in efforts to denuclearize Iran, stating "No thanks!" The 11-day exercises, involving 18,000 South Korean soldiers, were intended to enhance readiness against North Korean threats.

The U.S. military asserts that these summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises reinforce the alliance's role in regional peace and security. North Korea has threatened unspecified stern steps against the U.S. and South Korea, describing the military drills as rehearsals for an aggressive war, exacerbating regional instability.