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President Donald Trump's order to significantly reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, announced via social media hours before scheduled drills, has sparked concerns in Seoul about Washington's security commitment to its ally. The move, which also included criticism of Seoul's refusal to join U.S. action against Iran, has triggered debate over the future of the alliance and South Korea's defense posture.
President Trump announced Sunday he has ordered the Pentagon to sharply reduce joint military drills with South Korea, citing his 'very good' relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The move, part of efforts to ease tensions and cut defense costs, has drawn attention from observers, though Seoul's official response is pending.
North Korea on August 15 condemned the upcoming Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises between the US and South Korea, calling them provocative and warning of new deterrence measures. Pyongyang accused Washington of pushing the world to the brink of nuclear war, while the US-South Korea command said the drills account for lessons North Korea learned in Ukraine.
