Trump Orders Significant Cutback in US-South Korea Military Drills, Citing Strong Relationship With North Korea

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that had directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" planned joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises.

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President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he has instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to execute a substantial reduction in scheduled joint military operations between the United States and South Korea. The directive marks a significant shift in Pentagon planning for the allies’ coordinated defense posture on the Korean Peninsula.

Trump attributed the decision to what he characterized as favorable diplomatic relations with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The president’s comments underscore his administration’s emphasis on maintaining dialogue channels with Pyongyang, a priority he has maintained since taking office.

The scale-back of these exercises represents a notable change in the traditional approach to US-South Korean military readiness and interoperability. The decision will affect training operations that have historically served as a demonstration of alliance strength in the region.

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