Trump orders joint military exercises with South Korea to be scaled back
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea, labeling them costly and provocative toward North Korea. The move has prompted a cautious response from Seoul, which is balancing its alliance with the U.S. against its own regional security needs.
Why it matters
This highlights a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy and security commitments in the Indo-Pacific, straining traditional alliances.
Trump said in a social media post that the exercises slated to begin this week are not only costly but "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea, which he said "has been unthreatening and respectful" during his time in the White House.
"Therefore, and based on the fact that it is too late to cancel, I have instructed Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to substantially reduce the Joint Military Exercises!" Trump wrote. The president added that he recently asked South Korea's president to join the U.S. in its efforts to denuclearize Iran, "and they said, 'No thanks!"'
This is not the first time that Trump has sought to end the exercises. During his first term, he also issued a surprise announcement that called the war games "provocative."
South Korea's Defence Ministry confirmed that the exercises began on Monday as planned.
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