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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

Trump Orders Significant Cut to South Korea Military Drills, Citing Costs and Kim Jong-un Ties

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a significant reduction in the scale of joint military exercises with South Korea, citing high costs and his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
  • Trump stated the exercises sent an inappropriate and hostile signal to North Korea, which he believes has not been a threat during his presidency.
  • The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises proceeded on August 17, 2026, with reduced participation, despite Trump's order to substantially scale them back.

In a move that surprised many, U.S. President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to substantially reduce the scale of joint military exercises with South Korea. The order came just hours before the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) drills were set to begin on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Trump cited the significant financial cost of the exercises as a primary reason for his decision. Furthermore, he asserted that the drills sent an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea, a country he believes has maintained a respectful and non-threatening stance towards the United States during his presidency. He communicated this stance via Truth Social on Sunday, August 16.

The exercises are not only costly, but they send a signal that is completely inappropriate and hostile to a country that, during Donald J Trump's presidency, has not been a threat and has been respectful.

— Donald TrumpPresident Trump explained his reasoning for ordering a reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea.

Acknowledging that it was too late to cancel the drills entirely, Trump instructed then-Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" their scope. The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, scheduled from August 17 to August 27, 2026, involve approximately 18,000 South Korean military personnel.

Therefore, and based on the fact that it is too late to cancel them, I have instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to substantially reduce the joint military exercises.

— Donald TrumpPresident Trump detailed his specific instructions regarding the scale of the military drills.

Trump also linked his decision to South Korea's response to the Iran conflict, recalling a recent request he made to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to join the U.S. in an effort to "denuclearize" Iran. According to Trump, South Korea declined this request.

Despite Trump's directive, the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises commenced as scheduled on Monday. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the start of the drills but offered no comment on Trump's statement. Seoul and Washington have previously stated that the UFS drills are designed to enhance the combined defense readiness of both nations.

I recently asked the President of South Korea whether they wanted to join us in the denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they said, 'No, thank you!'

— Donald TrumpPresident Trump mentioned South Korea's refusal to join U.S. efforts regarding Iran as a factor in his decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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