Trump says U.S. will scale back joint drills with South Korea, citing costs and diplomatic ties with North Korea
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will reduce the scope of upcoming joint military exercises with South Korea, referencing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea's lack of support on Iran.
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States will curtail the planned joint military exercises with South Korea, saying his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Seoul's refusal to assist the United States on Iran influenced the decision. Trump posted on his social-media platform that the drills are costly, largely funded by the United States, and send an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, scheduled to begin Monday and run for ten days, typically involves thousands of troops, including about 18,000 South Korean soldiers, and focuses on countering North Korean capabilities such as drones, GPS disruption and cyber attacks. South Korean officials said the drills started as planned, though it remains unclear whether they have been reduced after the president’s statement.
North Korea has repeatedly condemned the joint drills, describing them as a rehearsal for war. In a separate post, Trump asked South Korea to join the United States in efforts to denuclearize Iran, noting the South Korean president’s reported refusal.
During his first term, Trump also scaled back U.S.–South Korea exercises, citing cost concerns and a desire to ease tensions with North Korea. The current announcement marks a renewed emphasis on those same arguments.
CNN contributors Brad Lendon, Will Ripley and Alejandra Jaramillo reported the story.