President Donald Trump has ordered a reduction in joint US-South Korea military exercises, citing his “good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in his latest break from a long-standing security alliance.
South Korean officials said the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, a scheduled 11-day exercise, had already begun as planned when Trump’s announcement came. Seoul’s defence ministry confirmed the manoeuvres kicked off “as previously notified and scheduled,” while the presidential office said it remained in “close coordination” with Washington.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said he was “not happy” that the US had long ago agreed to the joint exercises with South Korea, calling them costly and “totally inappropriate and hostile” toward North Korea. He said he had directed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” the drills since it was too late to cancel them outright.
Trump also criticised South Korea directly, saying he had asked its president to join US efforts on Iran’s denuclearisation and been turned down. North Korea has not publicly responded, though it has previously condemned the exercises. Colonel Ryan Donald, spokesman for the US-South Korea Combined Forces Command, said the drills were designed to simulate combat against North Korean troops hardened by their deployment alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
South Korean officials said they hoped the personal rapport between Trump and Kim could eventually pave the way back to talks, even as allies in East Asia grow increasingly concerned about North Korea’s weapons displays and deepening ties with Russia and China.
