Trump Cuts US-South Korea Military Exercises Over Kim Jong Un Ties
- United States President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Washington will significantly reduce its participation in upcoming joint military exercises with South Korea.
- He cited his very good personal relationship with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader.
- According to La Croix, the announcement was published on Trump's Truth Social platform.
Trump cuts joint military exercises with South Korea
United States President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Washington will significantly reduce its participation in upcoming joint military exercises with South Korea.
He cited his very good personal relationship with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader.
Truth Social announcement targets annual drills
According to La Croix, the announcement was published on Trump’s Truth Social platform.
The annual maneuvers, named Ulchi Freedom Shield, were scheduled to begin on a Monday for an 11-day duration. The exercises were set to mobilize 18,000 South Korean soldiers alongside elements of the U.S. military contingent of 28,500 men stationed in the country, designed to defend against the nuclear-armed North.
Trump described the drills on Truth Social as not only costly, but as sending a totally inappropriate and hostile signal toward North Korea. He stated that under his presidency, North Korea has proven to be non-threatening and respectful.
Friction over Iran operations and alliance commitments
The decision marks another friction point in Washington’s alliances since Trump’s return to the White House in 2025.
In the same social media post, Trump referenced South Korea’s refusal to join American military operations against Iran, writing that he recently asked the South Korean president if they wanted to join efforts to denuclearize the Islamic Republic of Iran, to which they declined.
Seoul pursues talks amid Pyongyang ballistic missile test
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who took office in June 2025, has pursued a more conciliatory approach toward Pyongyang compared to his predecessor, offering unconditional talks. However, North Korean authorities have not responded to those overtures.
Pyongyang had criticized the upcoming joint drills ahead of Trump’s announcement, warning of potential countermeasures.
A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated on Thursday that the country’s consistent principle for ensuring security is to respond to a new level of threat by a new level of deterrence, following a ballistic missile test over the Sea of Japan.
Pyongyang deepens diplomatic ties with Moscow
North Korea has simultaneously deepened ties with Russia, supporting Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
State media in Pyongyang reported Sunday that Kim Jong Un expressed pride in his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a recent letter.