Trump orders significant reduction in joint military drills with South Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that he has instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to substantially scale back joint military exercises with South Korea. Trump attributed this decision to his "very good relationship" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, expressing dissatisfaction that the U.S. agreed to these drills long ago.

Trump characterized the exercises as both costly and as sending an "entirely inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea. He noted that while it was too late to cancel the current exercises, he directed a significant reduction going forward. The president also asserted that North Korea has maintained a non-threatening and respectful stance throughout his time in office.

In a separate comment, Trump mentioned asking the South Korean president if the country would join the U.S. in the "denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran." According to Trump, the South Korean president responded negatively to this proposal.