US and South Korea halve joint military drills amid Trump's call for reduction

Joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea are expected to be significantly scaled back, with reports indicating a halving of their duration. The drills, which commenced on Monday, are now slated for a substantial reduction, according to multiple South Korean media outlets.

The move comes in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's directive to his defense secretary to curtail the exercises. Trump had publicly stated on Truth Social that the drills were excessively expensive and sent an "inappropriate and hostile" signal to North Korea, which he characterized as respectful and non-threatening.

Despite Trump's remarks, the exercises began as scheduled. The U.S. president has also emphasized his positive relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, recalling their past summits. Unnamed U.S. officials suggest Trump is pushing for another meeting with Kim in the coming months.

North Korea has long voiced strong objections to the joint U.S.-South Korea military drills, consistently labeling them as practice runs for an invasion. State-run media in North Korea has referred to the U.S. and South Korea as "warmongers" escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. and South Korea, allies for over 70 years, maintain a mutual defense treaty primarily aimed at deterring aggression from North Korea.

“

the exercises are far too costly and that they send a signal that is "totally inappropriate and hostile towards a country (North Korea, ed.)" that according to Trump is respectful and has not been threatening.