US senators criticise Trump’s decision to scale back South Korea drills

On Monday, senior US senators from both parties expressed strong criticism towards President Donald Trump's decision to reduce military exercises with South Korea. The senators warned that such a move would benefit North Korea and further strain one of Washington's closest Asian allies. Trump had ordered the Pentagon to scale back drills minutes before they were set to commence, claiming the exercises were "inappropriate and hostile" and citing his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump also pointed to South Korea's refusal to join the US in denuclearising Iran, labeling it an "inane, haphazard decision" by the administration. Both Democratic Senator Jack Reed and Republican Senator Thom Tillis condemned the move, with Tillis accusing South Korea of providing "thousands of North Korea's troops" to support Russia's war against Ukraine.

Reed called Trump's decision a "propaganda victory" for Kim, warning that it would send a signal to China and Russia to test US alliances. The joint military exercises between Washington and Seoul have been conducted since the 1950s as a deterrent against North Korean aggression and a demonstration of allied readiness. North Korea has not responded to Trump's order but has consistently denounced the drills as provocative.