MWE Correspondent
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trump announced the decision ahead of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, which began on August 17 and are scheduled to run through August 27. The drills involve about 18,000 South Korean troops and personnel from the United States and other countries.
In announcing the decision, Trump said he was unhappy that the United States had committed to participating in the exercises, describing them as costly and arguing that they send an inappropriate and hostile signal to North Korea.
Trump also linked his decision to South Korea’s refusal to support US efforts concerning the denuclearisation of Iran, saying Seoul had declined a request to participate.
“Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un,” Trump said, he was not satisfied with the continued military exercises with South Korea.
The decision comes amid renewed tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has strongly opposed the US-South Korea drills, describing them as preparations for war, while Pyongyang has recently resumed ballistic missile testing.
Also Read: Tanzania Attracts $3.5 Billion Mining Investment in Four Years
The United States and South Korea maintain that the exercises are defensive and are intended to strengthen their ability to respond to potential threats from North Korea. The two allies had planned a combination of command-post simulations, field training and other military exercises.
South Korea has indicated that the exercises would proceed as scheduled, although questions remain over how Trump’s order to substantially reduce the drills will affect their scope and future planning.
Trump’s latest move echoes his approach during his first presidency, when he temporarily suspended or scaled back major US-South Korean military exercises following his meetings with Kim Jong Un in 2018 and 2019.
The decision is likely to fuel debate over the future of the US-South Korea security alliance, particularly as North Korea continues to develop its nuclear and missile capabilities and deepen military cooperation with Russia.
Analysts have warned that reducing joint exercises could affect military readiness and deterrence, while supporters of the move argue that scaling back drills could create greater space for diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang.
