Trump wants to be friends with Kim - but South Korea could pay the price

South Korea's annual military exercises with the United States abruptly ceased on Friday, as President Donald Trump announced a significant reduction in the drill. The Ulchi Freedom Shield, involving 18,000 South Korean troops and 11 other American allies, had only half of its program completed when the decision was made. Trump, who called the exercise "inappropriate and hostile" towards North Korea and costly to the US, caught his allies by surprise.

Seoul's Foreign Minister attempted to portray the decision as mutually agreed upon, but acknowledged that officials were unaware of Trump's plans beforehand. The move alarmed Taiwan and Japan, which have long depended on US security guarantees in the region. Trump has also criticized South Korea for not participating in action against Iran and has expressed hope for meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this year.

South Korea, which views the annual exercises with the US as crucial to the alliance and a demonstration of US commitment to defend against Pyongyang, expressed concern over the sudden decision. There is a fear that Trump might further withdraw US troops or abandon the policy of denuclearizing North Korea without consulting Seoul.

The scaling down of the drills has shaken South Korean confidence in the US as an ally. The two Koreas are technically still at war, and North Korea has recently launched ballistic missiles towards Japan and warned of exercising nuclear weapons if threatened. Additionally, the Trump administration has shown dissatisfaction with South Korea's refusal to join Iran's war and its annual spending to host US troops.

Some argue that South Korea should develop its own nuclear deterrence, but the majority of the public still supports an alliance with the US. Despite Trump's decision, Seoul remains hopeful for peace and has pledged to increase its defence spending, agreeing with Trump's view that the country should bear responsibility for its own security.