Trump orders Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea

Key facts

• President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises.
• Trump cited the exercises as costly and sending an inappropriate, hostile signal to North Korea.
• The decision comes as Seoul and Washington were set to begin their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise.
• Trump mentioned South Korea declined his request to join efforts to denuclearize Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that he has instructed the Pentagon chief to "substantially" reduce joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises. Trump cited that these exercises are not only costly, with the United States bearing much of the expense, but also send a "totally inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea, which he stated has been unthreatening and respectful during his presidency.

Trump made these remarks on Truth Social, noting his "very good relationship with Kim Jong Un." He explained that it was too late to cancel the upcoming annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, but he had directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to reduce them significantly. Pyongyang has historically criticized these drills as war rehearsals.

Additionally, Trump revealed that he had recently asked South Korean President Lee Jae Myung if Seoul would participate in efforts to denuclearize Iran, but was told, "No thanks."