US President Donald Trump said Sunday he had instructed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” US military exercises with South Korea, citing their cost.
Trump also linked the decision to his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In a post on Truth Social, he said South Korea had declined a US request to help Washington denuclearise Iran.
The announcement came as US and South Korean forces were preparing to begin their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises on Monday. The drills have been held under that name since 2022, though joint summertime exercises between the two allies date back decades.
North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile on Wednesday, its first such launch since June. US, South Korean and Japanese officials condemned the launch, which experts and military officials said appeared to be a protest against the upcoming military exercises.
