Trump Cuts South Korea Drills

Trump scaled back joint drills with South Korea, citing his relationship with Kim Jong Un.

•Balanced

WSJ torches Trump's 'act of appeasement' toward dictator: 'The world is wondering'

Trump's slight of South Korea in favor of North raises broader US security concerns

Trump’s slight of South Korea in favor of the North raises broader US security concerns

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Analysis & opinion

The reporting

A neutral summary of the key facts most outlets agree on, drawn from reporting across the political spectrum.

President Donald Trump ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” U.S. participation in Ulchi Freedom Shield, the 10-day joint exercise with South Korea involving 18,000 South Korean troops plus U.S. and U.N. forces. Trump announced the change on Sunday, hours before the drills were scheduled to begin, citing costs, Seoul’s refusal to support U.S. action against Iran, and his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea said on Monday it hoped U.S.-North Korea diplomacy would resume to ease tensions on the peninsula.

Analysis & opinion

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Alliance Security HarmLeans Left

Scaling back U.S.-South Korea military exercises weakens deterrence, readiness, and America’s security posture in Asia. It damages a longtime alliance, rewards Kim Jong Un and other adversaries, and makes U.S. commitments look less reliable.