Trump says ‘very good relationship’ with Kim Jong Un made him 'unhappy' with US-South Korea military exercises

In a recent post on Truth Social, former US President Donald Trump expressed his unhappiness with the joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, citing his improved relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump claimed that the annual drills were not only expensive but also sent a "hostile" message to North Korea, which he believed had remained "unthreatening and respectful" during his presidency.

To address his concerns, Trump instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" the exercises, although it was too late to cancel them entirely.

Trump also linked his decision to the military exercises with the US' efforts to bring Iran's nuclear program under denuclearization. He mentioned his recent request to the South Korean president regarding the denuclearization of Iran, which was declined by South Korea. Trump has previously met with Kim three times and has consistently expressed his willingness to resume direct engagement with the North Korean leader.

In August, the US and South Korea concluded their annual military exercise, the Ulchi Freedom Shield, six days earlier than planned, as a possible gesture toward North Korea amid Trump's diplomacy attempts.

Despite the shortening of the exercise, North Korea dismissed Trump's gesture, stating that it did not change their perception of the United States' aggressive actions. Pyongyang proceeded to launch short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea soon after the downsizing of the military drills. Trump, however, remained optimistic about meeting Kim Jong Un again this year and claimed that North Korea had 57 nuclear weapons, which he believed were "very powerful."