Trump's words on South Korea-US joint military drills drive a wedge
U.S. President Donald Trump's social media post Sunday announcing that he ordered the Pentagon to "substantially reduce" joint South Korea-U.S. military drills, came on the morning of the first day of the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint exercises. "These exercises are not only costly ... but send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile, to a Country that, as long as Donald J. Trump has been…
On the opening day of the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, U.S. President Donald Trump announced via his social media platform that he had ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce these drills. The president's announcement came in the midst of his criticism, stating that the exercises were not only expensive but also sent a hostile and inappropriate signal to a country that had been unthreatening and respectful during his tenure as President.
This stance was perceived as an attempt by Trump to secure a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, whom he had previously met thrice during visits to Singapore, Hanoi, and Panmunjeom. When journalists pressed him on Tuesday about Kim's lack of response to his outreach efforts, Trump claimed that Kim had indeed responded, but without providing further details, the nature, timing, and specific form of this response remained unclear.
Trump's position on the South has complicated trade negotiations between the two nations, making the process a delicate balance.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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