Trump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea
Summary
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing cost and Seoul’s refusal to join actions against Iran. The move comes as the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills were set to begin amid tensions involving North Korea’s missile program.
Key Points
- Trump said the US-South Korea drills were costly and signaled hostility, and he wants them reduced rather than fully canceled.
- The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises were scheduled for August 17 to 27 with about 18,000 South Korean personnel involved.
- South Korea’s military said the drills started as scheduled, while the White House and Pentagon gave no immediate details on the cutback.
- The decision follows Trump’s long-running push to scale back exercises with Seoul and his efforts to improve ties with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
