President Donald Trump says the US will “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un.
He argued that the drills are costly and send an unnecessarily hostile signal to Pyongyang. He also criticised Seoul for declining his request to join US efforts toward the “denuclearisation” of Iran.
South Korea said it was reviewing the comments but expressed hope that improved US-North Korea relations could revive meaningful dialogue. Earlier, Seoul had said the annual exercises would proceed “as scheduled.”
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The announcement comes as the US and South Korea prepare for the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, involving about 18,000 South Korean troops and 28,500 US personnel stationed in the country. North Korea has condemned the drills as “a rehearsal for an aggressive war.”
Experts warn that reducing the exercises could weaken alliance coordination and deterrence while providing limited savings. Professor Leif-Eric Easley said the “cost savings from downsizing drills are marginal, while the diplomatic benefits for relations with North Korea are doubtful.”
Trump previously suspended or reduced US-South Korea exercises during his first-term diplomacy with Kim, calling them “provocative” and saying stopping the “war games” would save the US “a tremendous amount of money.”
The latest move reflects Trump’s long-standing complaints about the cost of defending South Korea and Seoul’s limited contributions to US military efforts. However, it also raises hopes in Seoul that Trump may seek renewed engagement with Kim, particularly after South Korea recently proposed talks aimed at formally ending the Korean War, which technically remains unresolved.
BBC
