Trump Orders Pentagon to Scale Back Joint Military Drills with South Korea, Citing Ties with Kim Jong Un

US President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to significantly downscale joint military exercises with South Korea, pointing to his strong rapport with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Writing on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump stated that the upcoming drills are expensive and convey an inappropriate and hostile message to North Korea. He claimed that North Korea has remained respectful and unthreatening during his presidency.

“Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un, of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea,” Trump expressed.

Trump also highlighted South Korea’s position regarding the US-Israel conflict with Iran, noting that he had previously invited the President of South Korea to support the denuclearization of Iran, an offer that was declined.

Although it was too late to completely cancel the exercises, Trump instructed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” their scope. In response, South Korea’s Ministry of Defence indicated that the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises would continue as originally scheduled.

The 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield drills involve 18,000 South Korean soldiers alongside US forces, serving as a regular defense preparation against North Korea. Pyongyang has consistently condemned these exercises as invasion rehearsals and recently criticized US-Japan-South Korea military cooperation.

Recalling past diplomatic efforts, Trump shared a photo with Kim Jong Un, noting their positive relationship despite previous summit meetings during his first term and his longstanding opposition to the joint drills.