Trump Orders South Korea Military Drills Scaled Back

Shortly before the start of the annual 10-day exercises, US President Donald Trump instructed the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the drills, citing their cost and Seoul’s refusal to take part in actions against Iran.

Nevertheless, the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises began on Monday as scheduled and will run until 27 August, with about 18,000 South Korean military personnel taking part.

The drills are expected to include operations to counter drones, disrupt GPS signals and defend against cyberattacks.

Trump also highlighted his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying the exercises sent a “totally inappropriate and hostile” signal to Pyongyang.

North Korea has long denounced US-South Korean military exercises as preparations for an invasion. It fired a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan last Wednesday, six days after a similar launch on 6 August.

Trump had already sought to curtail military exercises with South Korea during his first term, calling them provocative and costly.

(Reuters, bak)