US, South Korea cut short joint drills after Trump criticism
Allies US and South Korea are currently holding joint military exercises. The drills will, however, wrap up earlier than planned after Trump ordered cuts.
South Korea and the United States have decided to shorten their annual joint military exercises by roughly half due to criticism from President Donald Trump. The drills, initially scheduled to end on August 27, will now conclude on August 21. Trump deemed the exercises "inappropriate and hostile" to South Korea's rival, North Korea, and ordered a reduction in US participation.
Trump further stated that the drills were costly and failed to send a positive message to North Korea, which he claims has been "unthreatening and respectful" toward the US. North Korea's state media denounced the drills as a "most immediate and open threat," while South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung emphasized that the exercises are defensive in nature.
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