Trump Cuts South Korea Drills

Trump ordered the Pentagon to reduce joint drills with South Korea amid tensions over Iran.

•Balanced

Trump orders cuts to South Korea joint drills despite warnings of North’s growing battlefield experience

Trump orders Hegseth to 'substantially reduce' joint military operations with South Korea

Trump says US to ‘substantially reduce’ military drills with South Korea

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President Donald Trump said he ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” planned U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises that were slated to begin this week, saying it was too late to cancel them. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the drills were costly and sent an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea, citing his relationship with Kim Jong Un. He also criticized South Korea for declining to join U.S. efforts to denuclearize Iran. The exercises are part of regular allied drills intended to maintain readiness against North Korean threats.

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Concession to KimLeans Left

Trump’s reduction of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises was a concession to Kim Jong Un. By scaling back the drills after North Korean pressure, Trump gave Kim a major win and appeared to bow to the dictator’s demands.