Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea
Trump said the drills are costly and hostile, and ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce them after citing Kim Jong Un.
- U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to scale back the scope of joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. Trump cited the high cost of the exercises and argued that they could be perceived as hostile by North Korea.
- The decision comes as the United States and South Korea prepare for the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise. The drills are designed to improve the two countries' readiness to respond to potential threats, including missile attacks, cyberattacks, GPS interference, and drone operations.
- Trump also linked his decision to broader disagreements with South Korea over U.S. policies, including Washington's approach to Iran's nuclear program. He has additionally pointed to his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a reason for reconsidering the current scale of joint military exercises.
444 Articles
444 Articles
The American president explained this by his good personal relationship with Kim Jong Un and the costs.
The annual military exercises, called "Ulchi Freedom Shield", were initially to prepare several thousand South Korean and American soldiers against North Korea.
Citing Ties With Kim, Trump Scales Back US-South Korea Drills
President Trump says it's time to hit the brakes on US war games with South Korea, the Washington Post reports. In a Truth Social post Sunday, the POTUS said he ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to sharply scale back joint military drills, arguing they're expensive and send the wrong message...
Annual summer meeting for the South Korean armed forces and their American allies, exercises strengthen the defence against Pyongyang, which the US President considers this year "non-threat" and "respectful".
Donald Trump appears to be giving South Korea "high school" lessons with his decision to downgrade the joint military exercise - "We hope for dialogue with North Korea with US mediation," says Seoul. The post South Korea: The first reaction to Trump's decision to downgrade the joint military exercise appeared first on in.gr.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
