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Trump orders reduction in US-South Korea military drills, citing relationship with Kim Jong Un

Stars and Stripes · back to the audit

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he has ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, citing their cost and his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump announced the move in a post on his Truth Social platform just hours before the United States and South Korea were set to kick off Ulchi Freedom Shield, one of the allies' two major annual exercises.

"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 participated in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea," Trump wrote.

He said the exercises are costly and "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" toward North Korea, which he described as being "unthreatening and respectful" during his presidency.

"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.

Ulchi Freedom Shield is slated to run for 11 days and include live, virtual and field training designed to improve the ability of U.S. and South Korean forces to operate together.

This story will be updated.