Trump orders cut to US-South Korea military drills, cites North Korea ties

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said he has directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to substantially scale back joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea. In a post on his social media platform, Trump described the drills as sending an "inappropriate and hostile signal" to North Korea. Trump tied the decision to his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which he described as "very good," and said Pyongyang had not posed a threat to the United States during his presidency and had treated his country with respect. He argued the exercises were costly and that Washington covered the bulk of the expense. The president added that it was too late to cancel the drills entirely, prompting him to order a reduction in their scope. Separately, Trump said he asked the South Korean leader whether Seoul could join US efforts to press Iran toward nuclear disarmament, and received a response of "no, thank you."