WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce annual joint military exercises with South Korea, citing their cost and saying the drills send an inappropriate signal to North Korea.
Trump also pointed to his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and criticised South Korea for declining to support US efforts related to Iran.
The exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, began as scheduled on August 17 and are expected to continue through August 27. Around 18,000 South Korean troops are involved in the annual drills, which are designed to strengthen readiness for potential security scenarios on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korea said the exercises would proceed as planned and that Seoul and Washington would continue close coordination on their combined defence posture.
Trump’s decision marks another shift in Washington’s approach to military exercises with Seoul and could influence wider US efforts to improve relations with North Korea.
