Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea
Trump said the drills are too costly and hostile to North Korea, and the annual exercise involves about 18,000 South Korean troops.
- President Donald Trump instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" the long-planned joint military exercises with South Korea.
- Trump cited his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, stating that Pyongyang has been "unthreatening and respectful" and that the drills send a "hostile" signal.
- The President criticized the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises as overly costly to the U.S. and noted that while it was too late to cancel them entirely, the overall scale must be cut back.
- Trump linked the decision to South Korea's refusal to assist the U.S. in efforts to denuclearize Iran after Seoul declined a recent request to join the campaign.
- South Korean officials stated they were closely monitoring the administration's position while working to maintain bilateral diplomatic and military cooperation.
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The U.S. president pointed out that the "costy" joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea "send a totally insurmountable signal...
The Nation
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(WASHINGTON) - President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he had directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises, citing his "very good" relationship with North Korea's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. "Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises wi…
Why Trump ordered the Pentagon to slash joint exercises with South Korea
President Donald Trump’s announcement that he is scaling back U.S. participation in long-standing, joint military drills in South Korea shows Washington’s willingness to turn away from traditional allies.
Major exercise in South Korea continues after Trump orders US role curtailed
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise is “proceeding as planned,” according to South Korea, hours after President Donald Trump called on the Pentagon to shrink U.S. participation. The post Major exercise in South Korea continues after Trump orders US role curtailed appeared first on Task & Purpose.
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